THE  LIBRARY 

OF 
THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 
LOS  ANGELES 


NEW  NOVELS 

BY 

MANSFIELD  TRACY  WAL  WORTH. 


I.  —  WABWICK. 
n.  —  HOT8PUB. 

III.  —  LULU. 

IV.  —  BTORMCLIFF. 

T.  —  DKLATLAIXK.      (JtUt 


Afl  published  uniform  with  thin  Toloroe,  sold  everrwbere,  and  tent  by  mi  I 
fott^ft  free,  on  receipt  of  price,  f  1.75, 

BT 
O.   W.   CABLETON    A    CO., 

V  »rk. 


DELAPLAIKE: 

• 

OB, 

THE    SACRIFICE   OF  IRENE. 


BY 

MANSFIELD    TRACY    WALWORTH, 

AUTHOR  OF 
tWxxwiac.  —  HOTSPUR.  —  STORMCLIFF.  —  LULU.  —  ETC. 


NEW    YORK: 

G.  W.  Carleton  fcf  Co.,  Publishers. 

LONDON:    J.   C.   HOTTEN. 
M.DCCC.LXXI. 


According  to  Act  of  Cvagnm,  in  the  y«ar  1871,  by 

O.   W.   CARLETON  it  CO., 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  OoogreM,  at  Washington. 


TMB    WOMBII'*    PBIKTIHO 
Elf  hlb  Stra*t  and  Arena*  A, 
K. w  Tcrk. 


PS 
313?  i 

W/77C/ 


IS  DEDICATED  TO  MY  FRIEND, 

JOHN    McB.    DAVIDSON, 

[The  Safe  Manufacturer  of  Broadway,  N.  V.] 
A  MERCHANT  PRINCE, 

IN     EVERY     SENSE     OF     THE     TERM. 


THAT  I  RECOGNIZE  THUS   PUBLICLY 

THE  NOBLE,  GENEROUS  CHARACTER  OF  THE  MAN, 

THE   FRIEND  OF  EVERY  ONE 
WHO   IS   TRUTHFUL,   EARNEST,   AND   STRUGGLING, 

WILL  MEET  THE  APPROBATION 

OF  THE   MANY  MEN   WHOM   HE  HAS   ASSISTED,    ENCOURAGED, 
AND    BUILT    UP    IN    LIFE. 

$0  fcfceir  ftaria 

I  ENTRUST  THE  EMOTIONS   AND  THE  MOTIVES 

WHICH    HAVE    PROMPTED 

THIS   TESTIMONIAL 

FROM 

THE    AUTHOR. 


IRENE 


CHAPTER  I. 

"  {for  stony  tower,  nor  walls  of  beaten  brass, 
Nor  airless  dungeon,  nor  strong  links  of  iron, 
Can  be  retentive  to  the  strength  of  spirit." 

Julius  Qatar. 

|HE  sky  was  overcast,  and  the  wind  moaned  over  the 
solemnly  gliding  river.  Upon  the  banks  of  the  broad 
stream  the  scattered  trees  stood  leafless,  and  a  dread 
sense  of  approaching  winter  and  storm  and  desolation 
seemed  to  pervade  all  things.  Even  the  town  on  the  river 
bank  was  wonderfully  quiet.  Few  of  the  inhabitants  cared  to 
be  abroad  in  the  chill  air ;  and  even  half  a  dozen  empty  row- 
boats  on  the  shore  looked  as  if  they  were  drawn  up  from 
the  water,  and  huddled  together  to  keep  each  other  warm. 

Near  to  the  town  and  close  to  the  water's  edge  loomed  up 
heavy  and  extensive  buildings  of  gray  stone.  Firmly  and  dur 
ably  constructed,  the  vast  pile  of  masonry  reared  its  towers 
and  turrets  solemnly  against  the  leaden  hue  of  the  sky.  There 
was  mystery  and  awe  in  the  appearance  of  the  massive  archi 
tecture.  At  the  first  glance  the  long  outlines  and  angles  of 
this  durable  structure  appeared  to  be  deserted.  The  eye 
roamed  wearily  in  search  of  human  life,  but  found  at  last  an 
indication  of  the  presence  of  man  at  the  summit  of  a  lofty  wall, 
and  exactly  at  the  angle  it  made  with  another  wall.  Here, 
perched  high  above  the  earth,  was  a  sentry  box,  from  which  a 
man  with  a  musket  emerged  and  contemplated  the  huge  en 
closure  beneath  him. 

A  painful  interruption  in  the  dread  silence  of  the  scene  was 
approaching  the  massive  building  from  the  front.  A  boy  of 
perhaps  fifteen  summers  was  being  led,  or  rather  dragged,  be- 

(7) 


8  IRENE. 

tween  two  men  towaids  the  entrance  of  the  structure.  At  the 
very  door  he  dropped  upon  his  knees  and  begged  piteously  for 
mercy. 

"Oh!  for  God's  sake  don't  put  me  in  there.  I'm  inno 
cent." 

The  officers  jerked  him  to  his  feet  again,  and  then  dragged 
him  in  through  the  great  iron  door  which  was  opened  for  them. 
He  cast  one  upward  despairing  look  at  the  leaden  sky.  It  was 
his  last  sight  of  free  air.  The  door  was  closed  behind  him  and 
he  was  a  prisoner  of  the  State.  He  was  condemned  to  six  years 
imprisonment  at  hard  labor.  And  he  was  innocent.  The  poor 
wretch  would  not  yield  even  within  the  enclosure  of  the  walls, 
but  fought  desperately  with  the  officers  ;  seizing  the  hand  of 
one  with  his  teeth  and  biting  to  the  bone.  The  man  uttered  a 
curse  and  exclamation  of  pain,  and  then  dealt  the  offender  a 
blow  which  felled  him  to  the  floor.  Dizzy  and  half  blinded,  the 
boy  rose  to  his  feet,  and  realizing  that  the  officers  had  released 
him,  gazed  about  him  in  wonder  and  terror.  No  sound  es 
caped  him,  though  the  blow  had  been  severe.  For  an  instant 
his  body  reeled,  and  then  he  caught  at  the  neighboring  wall  to 
save  himself.  The  two  officers  looked  at  him  indignantly,  and 
the  warden,  who  was  the  only  other  occupant  of  the  guard-room, 
said  sternly,  — 

"  You  little  devil.     You  make  a  promising  beginning." 

"  I'm  innocent,"  muttered  the  boy  clinging  to  the  wall  and 
his  eyes  beginning  to  realize  the  hopelessness  of  his  situation. 
He  saw  another  iron  door  before  him  which  gave  ingress  to 
the  prison  proper,  and  beside  it  a  narrow  grating  four  feet  up 
on  the  wall,  which  enabled  the  warden  occasionally  to  cast  his 
eye  along  the  stone  corridor,  passing  by  the  cells  of  the  prison 
ers  within.  Ha !  something  bright  attracted  his  attention  on 
the  opposite  wall.  It  was  the  gleam  of  muskets  loaded  and 
ready  for  immediate  use  in  case  of  insurrection  among  the  con 
victs.  They  stood  in  a  rack  against  the  wall,  polished  to  an 
attractive  brightness,  and  orderly  as  soldiers.  With  the  bound 
of  an  antelope  the  boy  crossed  the  room,  grasped  a  musket 
before  he  could  be  intercepted,  levelled  it,  and  fired.  One  of 
the  officers  fell.  Quick  as  lightning  he  seized  another  from 
the  rack,  fired,  and  his  second  enemy  fell.  The  warden  darted 
across  the  room  after  him.  The  boy  summoned  all  his  strength, 
and  by  a  skillful  lunge  of  his  empty  musket  jammed  the  muz- 
tie  into  one  of  the  warden's  eyes.  The  pain  of  the  blow  was 
intense  and  bewildering  for  an  instant;  and  the  warden,  stum- 


IRENE.  9 

bling  over  one  of  the  fallen  officers,  nearly  landed  on  his  face,  in 
the  effort  to  reach  the  telegraphic  alarm  which  communicated 
with  the  sentry  boxes  on  the  summits  of  the  prison.  This  delay 
was  fatal  for  the  interests  of  the  State.  The  boy  turned  the 
key  of  the  outside  door,  and  was  out  and  off  like  the  wind,  the 
warden  following  with  a  loaded  musket.  A  sharp  report  was 
heard  outside,  and  a  ball  whistled  beside  the  fugitive's  cheek. 
The  warden's  shot  had  missed,  and  he  returned  to  his  guard 
room,  afraid  to  be  absent  from  his  post,  and  confident  that  the 
sharpshooters  on  the  walls  of  the  prison  would  soon  bring 
down  this  refractory  youth.  He  listened  for  the  challenge  of 
the  sentry,  heard  it,  and  then  a  shot ;  another  report  followed, 
and  he  heard  a  shout  from  some  laborers  working  on  the  rail 
road.  Looking  up  the  rise  of  ground  to  the  east,  he  spied  the 
fugitive,  apparently  unharmed,  running  along  the  upper  ledge  of 
a  stone  quarry,  and  making  for  the  river  bank.  Two  of  the 
prison  guard  were  in  pursuit,  but  far  behind.  The  boy  ran  for 
dear  life.  They  could  not  overtake  him.  He  never  looked 
back,  but  ran  straight  on  for  the  river,  gained  the  bank,  and 
leaped  into  the  water.  He  disappeared  in  foam,  rose  again, 
raised  his  hatless  head,  looked  about  him,  and  then  struck  out 
boldly  for  the  opposite  shore.  He  swam  bravely,  and  the  spec 
tators  on  the  railroad  raised  a  shout  of  approbation.  The 
pursuers  were  rapidly  nearing  the  shore,  and  had  taken  a  shorter 
route  to  intercept  him  by  musket  balls,  when  they  should  come 
within  range.  This  detour  proved  to  be  of  no  service  to  them, 
as  it  brought  them  directly  upon  a  pool  of  water,  which  they 
were  disinclined  to  wade.  They  skirted  this  obstacle,  and  the 
swimmer  thereby  gained  on  them,  steadily  cleaving  the  waters 
for  the  opposite  shore.  It  was  probable  the  little  fellow  would 
fail  to  reach  his  goal,  and  sink  exhausted  in  mid-stream.  They 
reached  the  shore  at  length,  and  fired  upon  him,  one  after  an 
other.  The  shots  were  fair,  and  whistled  close  to  his  ears ;  but 
the  little  desperado  bore  a  charmed  life.  They  exhausted  their 
ammunition,  but  could  not  harm  him.  Then  they  searched  the 
river  bank  for  a  skiff.  Before  they  could  find  one,  the  little 
swimmer  was  far  off  upon  the  bosom  of  the  broad  stream,  strug 
gling  heroically  to  gain  the  opposite  shore. 

The  river  was  fearfully  broad  at  this  place,  spreading  out  into 
a  grea'c  lake.  There  was  apparently  little  chance  that  the 
youthful  swimmer  could  gain  the  distant  shore.  He  must  soon 
go  down.  But  an  unexpected  succor  hove  in  sight. 

A  yacht,  manned  by  three  sons  of  Neptune,  was  sweeping 


10  IRENE. 

down  the  river  like  a  bird,  before  a  fine  breeze.  The  gray- 
beard  who  handled  the  tiller  was  the  captain  and  owner,  an 
old  sea-dog,  who  had  won  scars  and  reputation  in  the  naval 
warfare  just  ended.  He  had  witnessed  the  firing  from  the 
shore,  and  seen  the  human  head  bobbing  up  and  down  in  the 
water,  and  conjectured  immediately  that  a  prisoner  had  escaped 
from  the  clutches  of  the  State.  He  intimated  to  his  crew  of  two 
men,  that  if  the  convict  was  wounded  and  needed  help,  he 
would  pick  him  up  ;  otherwise  he  would  let  him  shift  for  him 
self,  as  he  was  determined  to  lose  no  time  on  his  passage  to  the 
metropolis.  He  ordered  a  sailor  to  be  ready  to  cast  the  swim 
mer  a  rope  if  necessary,  as  the  course  of  the  yacht  was  directly 
for  him.  When  the  little  vessel  was  within  hail,  the  boy  raised 
himself  in  the  water,  and  cried  for  help.  The  brave  lad  was 
nearly  exhausted.  When  the  captain  heard  that  pitiful  and 
juvenile  cry,  his  heart  was  moved,  and  he  ordered  the  coil  of 
rope  to  be  heaved  at  the  swimmer.  The  order  was  admirably 
executed  from  the  starboard  bow  of  the  yacht,  and  the  boy 
clutched  the  line  as  its  coils  fell  around  his  neck,  and  was 
dragged  in  by  the  sailor  in  a  sinking  condition.  One  minute 
more  would  have  been  too  late,  as  the  poor  swimmer's  strength 
was  swiftly  failing  him,  encumbered  as  he  was  by  his  clothing 
and  boots.  The  rescuer  carried  the  dripping  boy  in  his  arms  to 
the  small  cabin  in  the  stern  of  the  boat,  where  the  captain's 
wife  and  daughter  were  seated,  wrapped  up  in  their  cloaks  and 
shawls,  and  begged  them  to  look  after  the  poor  lad's  comfort, 
as  he  had  fainted  away  from  exhaustion  and  fright,  and  lay  on 
the  floor  of  the  cabin  like  one  dead. 

The  captain  of  the  yacht  in  the  meantime  held  on  his  course 
as  if  nothing  had  occurred,  knowing  full  well  that,  as  the  boy 
had  been  hauled  in  from  the  starboard,  his  pursuers  far  away 
on  the  larboard  side  could  not  have  witnessed  the  rescue,  and 
might  be  left  safely  to  make  their  own  conjectures  as  to  his 
fate.  When  far  away  down  the  river  on  his  course  he  could 
see  the  pursuers  laying  on  their  oars  and  looking  about  them 
as  if  uncertain  where  the  fugitive  could  have  gone  down  to 
his  watery  grave.  He  smiled  at  the  skill  and  rapidity  with 
which  he  had  carried  off  the  object  of  their  search,  and  then 
fell  into  a  meditation  as  to  the  probable  consequences  to  himself 
if  by  any  mischance  the  State  should  discover  that  he  had  aided 
a  prisoner  to  escape.  There  is  an  unaccountable  propensity 
in  the  minds  of  some  men  to  exult  at  the  escape  cf  a  criminal 
from  the  clutches  of  the  law,  when  effected  in  a  gallant  and 


IRENE.  1 1 

heroic  manner.  The  youth  of  the  culprit,  moreover,  enhanced 
this  exultation  of  the  captain  of  the  yacht,  and  he  was  rapidly 
preparing  himself  to  believe  that  there  must  have  been  some 
extenuating  circumstance  in  the  boy's  case.  He  determined 
to  give  the  brave  swimmer  a  chance  to  be  heard  in  his  own  de 
fence,  at  least,  before  he  would  consent  to  deliver  him  up  to  the 
authorities.  Stern  disciplinarian  as  he  had  learned  to  be  when 
in  command  of  a  government  ship,  he  had  not  relinquished  his 
sympathies  for  youth,  and  was  ever  inclined  to  lend  an  attentive 
and  sympathetic  ear  to  their  complaints. 

Filled  with  these  reflections,  he  descended  to  the  little  cabin 
of  his  vessel,  when  he  had  made  such  disposition  of  his  sails 
for  the  night  as  he  deemed  prudent  to  secure  his  craft  from 
danger,  in  the  event  of  sudden  gusts  from  the  hills  which  every 
navigator  of  the  river  is  accustomed  to  anticipate.  He  found 
that  his  wife  had  lighted  a  lamp  and  was  sitting  beside  the 
rescued  boy,  whom  she  had  nearly  divested  of  all  his  dripping 
garments,  substituting  for  them  a  pea-jacket  belonging  to  the 
captain,  and  then  enveloping  her  charge  in  a  huge  boat-cloak 
which  effectually  shielded  him  from  the  cold  wind  struggling 
at  every  crevice  to  enter  the  cabin.  The  chances  were  that 
the  poor  boy  could  not  escape  a  severe  cold  from  his  exposure 
in  the  river  so  late  in  the  fall.  His  teeth  were  fairly  chatter 
ing  with  the  chills  which  crept  over  him. 

The  boy  was  now  sitting  upon  a  lounge  with  the  huge  boat- 
cloak  wrapped  snugly  about  him,  his  large  dark  eyes  roving 
about  the  narrow  apartment.  Opposite  to  him,  and  curiously 
regarding  his  every  movement,  was  the  captain's  daughter,  her 
sweet  face  partly  shaded  by  a  straw  flat  and  her  juvenile  figure 
carefully  enveloped  in  a  black-and-white  plaid  travelling  shawl. 
There  was  a  peculiar  air  of  independence  about  the  girl,  and  a 
precocious  ease  and  self-possession  rare  in  a  little  lady  who  had 
not  yet  entered  her  twelfth  year.  .  She  was  delicate  and  fairy- 
like  in  figure,  but  by  no  means  of  short  stature,  and  her  large 
brown  eyes  looked  intensely  brilliant  in  the  lamplight,  shaded 
though  they  were  by  her  flat.  There  was  surely  a  mysterious 
fascination  for  the  child  in  the  wild  roving  eyes  of  the  escaped 
convict,  for  she  seldom  withdrew  her  gaze  from  his  face,  save 
when  his  eagle  glances  met  her  own.  Then  her  eyes  drooped 
their  lashes,  so  piercing  was  the  boy's  gaze. 

"  Well,  my  lad,"  exclaimed  the  captain  upon  entering,  in  his 
bluff,  hearty  style,  "  I  see  you  are  provided  for ;  now  give  an 
account  of  yourself.  What  is  your  name,  what  were  you  put 


12  IRENE. 

in  that  prison  for,  how  did  you  escape,  and  what  have  you  to 
say  for  yourself  generally  ?  Out  with  it  like  a  man.  If  there 
are  any  extenuating  facts  in  your  case,  I  am  the  friend  of  boys, 
and  will  do  all  in  my  power  to  help  you.  But,  by  Jupiter  !  if  I 
see  you  don't  come  square  and  boldly  up  and  toe  the  mark,  I'll 
put  you  back  in  the  power  of  the  State.  Speak  out ;  make  a 
clean  breast,  if  you  want  my  help." 

To  the  amazement  of  all,  the  boy  sprang  to  his  feet,  muffled 
as  he  was  in  the  cloak,  his  eyes  kindling  with  terrible  emotion, 
and  regarding  the  captain  with  a  bold,  free  glance,  as  if  there 
was  no  discrepancy  in  their  ages  or  positions.  He  looked  as 
fearless  as  an  untamed  eagle  of  the  crags.  "  I  am  innocent, 
sir,  God  knows.  They  were  dragging  me  to  prison.  I  killed 
two  of  them  ;  I'd  \i\\\fifty  before  I'd  let  them  take  away  my 
liberty.  God  made  me,  and  gave  me  fresh  air  and  sunlight ; 
nobody  shall  shut  me  up  and  make  me  work  for  them.  They 
can  kill  me,  but  they  nor  no  other  man  can  make  me  work  for 
them.  I  am  innocent,  sir  ;  I  never  stole  no  money.  I  was  a 
messenger  boy,  sir,  for  Deems,  Barnes  &  Co.  They  missed  a 
roll  of  bank  notes  and  some  of  the  money  was  found  in  my 
hat  a-lyin'  in  the  window  of  their  office,  right  before  their  eyes, 
and  they  thought  I  was  fool  enough  to  steal  their  money  and 
then  put  it  right  under  their  nose,  where  I  put  my  hat  every 
day;  yes,  sir,  right  in  their  window,  —  that's  where  I  put  my 
hat  every  day,  — right  there.  Why,  any  fool  wouldn't  do  that. 
You  know  that,  sir.  You  wouldn't  steal  money,  sir,  and  then  lay 
it  right  in  your  hat  that  was  lying  in  the  window  with  the  other 
hats  where  everybody  couldn't  help  seein'  it.  Somebody  did  it 
to  ruin  me,  sir ;  and  then  they  swore  away  my  character,  —  that 
is  all  a  poor  boy's  got,  and  the  judge  said  as  how  I'd  got  to  work 
six  years  at  hard  labor  in  the  State's  prison.  And  that's  how  I 
come  to  kill  'em,  and  I'll  kill  all  the  men  on  the  earth  before 
they  put  me  in  there.  They've  no  right  to  shut  me  up ;  I'm 
innocent." 

The  amazement  caused  by  this  brief  speech,  delivered  with 
all  the  fire  and  rapidity  of  youth,  was  overpowering,  and  for  a 
moment  no  one  replied  to  the  little  orator  as  he  stood  there  so 
resolute,  wrapped  in  his  cloak.  Then  the  captain  exclaimed  : 

"  Why,  youngster  !  do  you  know  what  you've  done?  They'll 
hang  you  sure." 

"That  would  be  mercy,  sir,"  replied  the  boy  advancing 
straight  up  to  the  captain,  and  looking  in  his  eye.  "  It  is  better 
to  die  than  be  a  convict  six  years,  and  then  come  out  in  dis- 


IRENE.  13 

grace  ;  it  would  be  a  mercy,  sir,  to  kill  me  ;  but  it's  worse  than 
death  to  be  innocent  and  have  the  light  taken  away,  and  the 
air  taken  away,  and  my  liberty  too,  when  God  gave  them  to  me 
and  I  ain't  done  nothing  to  forfeit  them.  Would  you  stand,  it, 
sir,  if  you  was  in  my  place  ?  Ain't  it  agin  the  law  of  God  to  shut 
up  an  innocent  boy  and  break  his  mother's  heart?  Would  you 
let  'em  put  you  in  there,  sir  ?  " 

"That's  a  difficult  question  you  propound,"  replied  the  cap 
tain  ;  "  I  believe  I  could  fight  pretty  hard  for  my  liberty,  if  I 
was  innocent.  But  you  talk  bravely,  my  little  orator.  You 
look  like  an  honest  boy,  and  I  shall  screen  you  sure,  if  you  sat 
isfy  me  you  are." 

"  Will  you  read  the  evidence,  sir  ?  "  said  the  boy  eagerly. 
"Do  read  it  —  read  it  carefully,  sir.  You  will  find  it  all  in  the 
newspaper  ;  you  will  say  I  am  innocent,  —  I  know  you  will." 

"Yes,  father,  read  it,"  interrupted  the  captain's  daughter, 
coming  up  to  him  and  laying  her  hand  on  his  arm.  "  I  feel 
quite  sure  he  is  innocent.  See  how  earnest  he  is !  That  face  is 
not  the  face  of  a  thief,  /believe  him  —  every  word." 

The  boy's  face  lighted  with  rapture  as  he  turned  to  this  un 
expected  advocate.  "  Oh  !  miss,"  he  exclaimed,  "  the  good  God 
will  bless  you  for  that  word.  I  don't  know  what  I  wouldn't  do 
for  you  ;  you  are  the  first  voice  that  has  declared  me  innocent. 
Everybody  was  banded  agin  me,  and  now  your  voice  sounds 
just  like  music." 

The  wife  of  the  captain  had  remained  silent ;  now  she  added 
her  calm  voice  to  that  of  the  girlish  advocate. 

"  Madeleine  is  right,  Henry.  This  youth  bears  an  honest  face, 
and  we  must  shelter  him  until  something  can  be  ascertained 
regarding  him.  But  I  fear  he  has  compromised  himself  dread 
fully  by  killing  the  keepers." 

"  Self-preservation  is  nature's  first  law,"  said  the  captain 
bluntly  ;  then  he  added,  "but  I  will  take  the  responsibility  of 
hiding  him  in  the  city  until  we  know  further  of  this  matter. 
You  and  Mady  keep  your  mouths  shut,  and  I  will  see  that  those 
fellows  outside  do  not  talk  to  our  detriment."  Then  turning 
again  to  the  boy,  he  said,  "  What  is  your  name  ?  You  didn't 
answer  me  that." 

'  Alfonso,  sir ;    Alfonso  Debaena." 
'  Have  you  a  father  ?  " 

'  No,  sir.     He  died  when  I  was  a  baby." 

'A  mother?" 

'  Yes,  sir  ;  she  lives  in  New  York." 


14  IRENE. 

"  Is  she  poor  ?  " 

"  She  is  a  washerwoman,  sir." 

"And  what  have  you  been  doing  to  earn  your  bread  ?  " 

"  I  was  a  messenger  boy,  sir,  for  Deems,  Barnes  &  Co." 

"  Yes,  yes,  you  told  me  that.  But  what  was  your  occupa 
tion  before  ?  " 

"  I  was  a  target  boy,  sir,  at  a  rifle  gallery.  I  kept  the  tar 
gets  clean,  and  picked  up  the  balls  and  moulded  them  over 
again,  and  sometimes  I  loaded  the  rifles." 

"  Are  you  a  marksman  yourself?  "  inquired  the  captain. 

"  They  said  at  the  gallery,  sir,  I  was  a  capital  shot.  I  often 
rung  the  bell  a  dozen  times  hand  running." 

"  That's  very  fine  shooting,  my  lad." 

"  Well,  sir,  I  can  do  it." 

"  And  how  did  you  kill  the  men  that  were  dragging  you  to 
prison,  Alfonso?" 

"  I  shot  'em,  sir.  The  muskets  were  standing  in  the  room 
where  they  dragged  me  to,  and  I  snatched  'em  up  and  fired  the 
first  time  they  took  their  hands  off  me." 

"  Your  practice  at  the  gallery  made  you  a  dead  shot,  it  ap 
pears." 

The  boy  made  no  response.  His  eyes  were  studying  the 
face  of  the  captain's  daughter.  Then  his  teeth  commenced  to 
chatter  again,  and  he  shivered  repeatedly. 

"  Come  to  the  lounge  again,"  said  the  captain's  wife  ;  "  you 
will  be  sick,  Alfonso.  Lie  down  there,  lie  down." 

The  boy  obeyed  at  once,  and  sank  down  upon  the  cushions, 
trembling  with  cold.  They  covered  him  with  every  available 
blanket  and  shawl,  and  after  a  time  he  ceased  to  shiver,  and  fell 
asleep,  with  the  two  females  watching  beside  him.  The  cap 
tain  of  the  yacht  left  for  the  deck,  muttering,  "  So  youthful  and 
yet  with  such  an  infernal  will.  That  boy  will  make  his  mark 
in  the  world  if  they  give  him  half  a  chance." 

The  elder  watcher  who  remained  beside  the  sleeper  indulged 
in  a  milder  remark  : 

"  Madeleine,  the  eyes  of  this  boy  haunt  me.  They  resemble 
eyes  very  familiar  to  me,  but  I  cannot  locate  them.  Some 
where  I  have  seen  a  pair  of  dark  eyes  like  them.  Yes,  the 
very  same  large,  dark,  lustrous  Spanish  eyes." 

"  To  me,"  was  the  response  of  the  young  girl,  "  they  recall 
Lord  Byron's  corsair.  Do  you  remember  the  lines,  mother?" 

"There  breathe  but  few  whose  aspect  might  defy 
The  full  encounter  of  his  searching  eye?' 


IRENE.  15 

The  mother  smiled  at  this  appropriate  quotation,  and  then, 
arranging  herself  comfortably  for  the  night  against  the  luxurious 
cushions  of  the  cabin,  covered  her  face  with  a  shawl,  and  was 
soon  asleep.  But  Madeleine  sat  long  in  a  reverie  beside  the 
sleeping  convict,  looking  out  through  the  little  cabin  window 
upon  the  waters  sparkling  and  dancing  in  the  moonbeams,  and 
perplexing  her  youthful  brain  with  the  arguments  regarding  the 
several  instances  of  justifiable  homicide. 


CHAPTER  II. 

]LONE  and  in  agony  ! 

The  luxurious  couch  with  its  golden  satin  and  lace 
canopy,  the  soft,  warm  temperature  of  the  room,  the 
tapestry  carpet  muffling  every  footfall,  and  the  atten 
tive  nurse  within  easy  call,  seemed  mere  mockery  to  the  invalid. 
To  each  and  every  physical  comfort  about  him  he  had  ever 
been  a  stranger  ;  from  infancy  he  had  lived  and  toiled  among 
the  poor.  His  bed  had  been  the  plain  straw  pallet,  and  in 
sickness  the  hard,  coarse  hand  of  the  toiling  washerwoman,  his 
mother,  had  alone  soothed  the  pain  from  his  brow.  Suddenly, 
as  by  a  magician's  wand,  the  scene  had  changed.  He  had  been 
rescued  from  a  watery  grave  and  transported  to  a  luxurious  sick 
chamber,  where  wealth  and  kindness  were  ministering  to  him. 

He  was  indeed  alone.  His  mother,  overpowered  by  the 
anguish  of  his  conviction  and  sentence,  had  succumbed  to  the 
disease  which  had  long  afflicted  her.  Her  boy  had  been  torn 
from  her,  and  made  the  companion  of  convicts  ;  before  the 
tidings  of  his  escape  could  reach  her  she  was  a  corpse.  The 
sad  news  had  been  broken  to  him  at  last ;  he  was  recovered 
sufficiently  to  bear  it.  He  had  inquired  for  her  so  often,  that 
his  kind-hearted  rescuers  had  not  power  longer  to  withhold  the 
secret  of  his  loss.  What  a  world  of  anguish  and  apprehension 
beset  that  emaciated  sufferer,  as  he  lay  there  in  the  midst  of 
luxury  recovering  from  the  fever  !  His  mother,  his  heart's  all, 
was  no  more.  His  reputation  for  honesty  was  gone  ;  who  would 
give  him  employment  now  ?  He  was  that  detested  thing,  an 
escaped  convict.  The  cruel  taunts  and  curses  of  men  would 
follow  him  ;  he  was  an  outlaw  ;  every  citizen  of  the  busy  world 


1 6  IRENE. 

would  avoid  him  as  a  pestilence.  Aye  !  more  than  this,  a  re 
ward  had  been  offered  for  his  apprehension,  and  he  knew  it ; 
he  had  seen  it  in  the  city  paper.  What  did  the  vindictive  pub 
lic  want  of  him  further  ?  J/is  life.  They  had  offered  a  large 
reward  for  the  murderer  of  the  officers.  He  knew  that  the  gal 
lows  awaited  him ;  he  shuddered  at  the  grim  death  which  con 
fronted  him. 

Would  the  kind  friends  who  had  arisen  so  unexpectedly  on 
his  path  be  able  to  conceal  him  effectually  from  the  govern 
ment  detectives  ?  They  had  assured  him  that  they  were  now 
convinced  of  his  innocence ;  they  had  repudiated  the  evidence 
adduced  on  his  trial  as  insufficient.  They  had  promised  to  ship 
him  secretly  to  some  foreign  port,  where  he  might  start  the 
race  of  life  anew.  It  was  evident  to  him,  that  they  sympa 
thized  with  him  in  his  desperate  struggle  to  regain  that  which 
had  been  wrongfully  wrested  from  him  —  his  liberty.  His  frank, 
bold,  independent  ways  had  a  strange  fascination  for  them.  He 
had  developed  day  by  day  attractive  qualities  of  head  and 
heart ;  it  seemed  a  shame  to  suffer  that  manly  boy  to  be  crushed 
by  a  felon's  doom.  He  had  been  desperate  in  choosing  his 
manner  of  escape,  but  then  the  foundation  of  his  cause  was 
innocence.  The  eagle-eyed  boy  had  followed  the  instinct  of 
liberty.  Youth,  innocence,  truth,  had  wrestled  with  injustice, 
wrong,  falsehood,  and  had  come  off  victors.  No  doubt,  ques 
tions  had  amen  in  this  case  for  casuists ;  but  what  had  the 
young  eagle  to  do  with  casuistry.  He  knew  that  liberty  was 
his  right ;  he  knew  that  the  officers  were  perpetrating  a  great 
wrong.  Right  triumphed  over  wrong;  hence  the  bluff  old 
sailor  concealed  the  boy  and  sheltered  him. 

But  the  boy  was  suffering  bodily  and  mental  anguish.  The 
ravages  of  the  fever  were  evident  upon  him  ;  the  greater  suffer 
ing  was  in  the  mind.  No  mother,  no  kinsman  left,  the  gallows 
imminent,  and  he  but  a  boy. 

A  light  step  sounded  upon  the  carpet,  the  rustle  of  a  silk 
dress  was  heard,  and  Alfonso  was  no  longer  alone. 

"  Poor  Alfonso,"  she  said,  as  she  took  her  seat  beside  his 
couch.  "  The  doctor  says  you  are  daily  growing  better,  and  yet 
every  day  your  eyes  are  growing  more  sorrowful.  Why  does 
your  cheerfulness  not  return  with  your  health?" 

He  looked  up  eagerly  to  those  lustrous  eyes ;  he  noted  the 
wonderful  luxuriance  of  her  golden  hair,  which  covered  her 
girlish  shoulders  with  the  abandon  of  the  Grecian  Aphrodite. 
Then  he  said  with  an  effort  at  cheerfulness,  — 


IRENE.  I/ 

"  You  always  bring  the  sunshine  with  you,  and  if  I  could  al 
ways  be  with  you  1  should  never  be  sad." 

"  Do  you  miss  me  so  much,  then,  when  I  go  to  my  lessons  ?" 

"  Yes,  and  I  shall  miss  you  more  when  they  send  me  across 
the  sea." 

"  I  don't  know  about  that,"  she  said ;  "  there  are  so  many 
wonderful  sights  beyond  the  sea.  You  will  become  engrossed 
in  them,  I've  no  doubt.  And  then,  you  know,  you  have  prom 
ised  me  to  make  wonderful  efforts  to  become  great  in  your 
profession ;  I  shall  expect  to  see  you  captain  of  a  ship  some 
day." 

"  Whatever  I  do  I  shall  miss  you  ;  I  shall  miss  your  reading 
to  me.  Do  you  know  that  what  you  have  read  to  me  has 
fired  my  heart  to  become  great  like  those  men  ?  " 

"Why  shouldn't  you  become  great?  If  I  were  a  man  I 
would  cut  my  way  to  fortune  and  fame,  I  assure  you.  And  I 
know  it's  in  you  to  do  it ;  father  says  so,  too." 

"If  I  had  any  one  to  care  for  me,  or  any  one  who  was  my 
relation,  I  could  succeed.  But  this  being  all  alone  chills  me 
and  breaks  my  spirit." 

"  Hush  !  Alfonso,  /  care  for  you,  and  I  told  you  that  long 
ago.  I  shall  watch  for  every  word  about  you,  and  if  you  suc 
ceed  I  shall  clap  my  hands  for  joy." 

The  dark  eyes  flashed  with  enthusiasm  at  this  reply,  but  be 
fore  he  could  respond  the  nurse  entered  the  apartment  with  a 
message  for  Madeleine. 

"The  new  washerwoman,  miss,  is  below,  and  wants  to  see 
you." 

"  Tell  her  to  come  to  the  head  of  the  stairs  ;  I  will  meet  her 
there." 

This  order  was  obeyed,  and  Madeleine  left  the  room  to  meet 
her.  To  her  amazement  the  washerwoman  had  pushed  her 
way  through  the  upper  hall,  and  into  the  sick  chamber  unbid 
den.  She  had  already  passed  the  threshold. 

"This  is  presumption,"  she  said  indignantly  to4  the  woman. 
"  This  is  a  private  bed-chamber.  Were  you  not  told  to  await 
me  at  the  head  of  the  stairs  ?  " 

"Yes,  miss." 

"  Welf,  go  back  there,  as  you  were  directed." 

The  woman  retired  in  confusion,  but  not  until  she  had  seen 
distinctly  the  face  of  the  invalid,  which  was  turned  towards  her. 
Great  care  had  beerr  exercised  by  the  family  in  keeping  inquisi 
tive  persons  at  a  distance  from  the  sick  chamber.  The  police 


1 8  IRENE. 

were  on  the  alert,  and  this  discovery  on  the  part  of  the  new 
washerwoman,  who  had  been  recently  recommended  to  the 
family,  was  suggestive  of  possible  trouble.  Madeleine  followed 
the  woman  out,  transacted  her  business  with  her,  and  then  sent 
her  away.  Upon  returning,  she  found  Alfonso  seriously 
alarmed.  The  nurse,  who  was  a  trusted  inmate  of  the  house 
since  the  infancy  of  Madeleine,  was  endeavoring  vainly  to 
dispel  his  apprehensions. 

"  I  am  lost !  I  am  lost ! "  exclaimed  the  poor  boy. 

"  Nonsense,"  replied  the  captain's  daughter.  "  That  old 
woman  may  never  hear  of  your  case." 

"Ah !  but  I  know  who  she  is.  I  will  never  forget  those  eyes. 
Oh !  save  me  !  hide  me." 

"  Who  is  she  ?     Speak,  Alfonso  ! " 

He  pronounced  a  name  that  made  the  listeners  shudder. 

"  Gordon  I " 

"  Impossible !  Alfonso." 

"  Yes,  that  old  woman  is  Captain  Gordon  —  the  same  man 
that  arrested  me.  I  saw  his  eyes.  Oh  !  hide  me,  quick  !  " 

For  an  instant  the  girl  seemed  paralyzed.  The  name  of  the 
great  detective,  with  whose  exploits  the  whole  metropolis  was 
ringing,  bore  with  it  a  sense  of  mystery,  of  terror,  of  hopeless 
ness.  Rumor  had  it  that  Gordon  on  the  trail  of  crime  was  as 
unerring  as  destiny.  He  followed  up  the  slightest  clue  to  the 
whereabouts  of  a  rogue  with  the  tenacity  and  the  scent  of  a 
bloodhound.  Disguises,  artifices,  impenetrability,  were  his  ser 
vants.  The  most  crafty  of  outlaws  trembled  at  his  name.  He 
was  commonly  believed  to  employ  secret  agents  in  every  haunt 
and  den  of  the  city.  He  could  worm  secrets  out  of  a  man 
with  the  unconcerned  air  of  a  Fouchc.  Concentrated,  deter 
mined,  and  indefatigable  as  Le  Tellier,  he  bent  his  entire  ener 
gies  to  the  service  of  the  State.  There  appeared  to  be  little 
hope  for  Alfonso  if  this  terrible  detective  was  upon  his  trail. 

The  paralysis  of  terror  was  but  momentary.  The  girl  darted 
from  the  room  and  summoned  her  father.  A  hasty  consulta 
tion  ensued.  There  was  evidently  but  one  safe  course — 
Alfonso  must  be  shipped  for  foreign  parts.  A  friend  of  the 
captain,  the  master  of  a  sailing  vessel,  would  sail  for  China  on 
the  following  day.  Feeble  as  the  boy  was,  he  must  be  hurried 
in  a  carriage  to  the  vessel,  and  they  would  trust  to  Providence 
to  give  him  strength  for  the  voyage.  The  secret  agent  of  the 
State  had  penetrated  their  sanctuary,  and  there  was  no  time  to 
De  lost.  There  was  but  one  word  for  all  in  that  house — haste  I 


IRENE.  19 


The  shades  of  evening  were  creeping  on.  The  darkness  of 
the  night  would  be  the  signal  for  flight.  Unquestionably  the 
vigilant  Gordon  had  placed  a  guard  upon  the  house.  Certain 
of  his  victim,  he  could  patiently  wait  for  his  recovery  and 
thereby  save  expense  to  the  State.  No  one  believed  he  would 
make  the  arrest  at  once.  It  was  arranged  that  the  father  of 
Madeleine  should  bear  the  invalid  boy  in  his  arms  along  the 
roof  of  the  long  lines  of  galleries  which  were  built  in  the  rear 
of  the  block  of  buildings,  until  he  reached  the  second  story 
window  of  a  dwelling  occupied  by  Madeleine's  aunt.  Then, 
with  that  lady's  connivance,  he  was  to  pass  through  that  window, 
and  to  make  his  way  with  his  burden  to  a  carriage  on  the  street. 
There  were  hazards  of  exposure  from  the  occupants  of  windows 
which  the  two  must  pass.  But  at  the  late  hour  of  the  night 
selected  for  the  enterprise  it  was  expected  the  rear  curtains  of 
the  dwellings  would  be  dropped,  so  that  they  might  escape 
observation. 

Alfonso  and  Madeleine  were  alone  together.  If  their  ruse 
proved  successful,  in  a  few  hours  they  would  be  parted  and  the 
ship  would  bear  one  to  a  distant  land.  The  convict  boy  and 
the  golden-haired  girl  were  silent  in  the  gathering  twilight. 
For  days  and  weeks  she  had  been  the  teacher  and  he  the 
scholar.  Ever)-  book  that  had  wrought  its  charm  over  her 
young  life  she  had  made  known  to  him.  She  had  read  to  him, 
talked  to  him,  instructed  him  in  her  little  world  of  knowledge, 
and  witnessed  the  development  of  his  youthful  intellect  and  his 
enthusiasm  in  a  field  before  utterly  unknown  to  him.  In  his 
humble  and  obscure  life  he  had  known  only  the  hard  struggle 
for  bread.  She,  the  child  of  affluence  and  of  culture,  opened  to 
the  convict  boy  the  portals  of  a  higher  life.  She  read  to  him 
of  heroes,  of  poets,  of  scholars,  and  at  times  the  intense  bril 
liancy  of  his  dark  eyes  assured  her  that  the  seed  had  fallen 
upon  good  ground.  The  dormant,  uncultivated  intellect  of 
the  boy  was  aroused,  his  enthusiasm  was  awakened  ;  ambition 
sprang  to  sudden  life.  He  forgot  at  times  that  he  was  a 
convict.  He  yearned  for  the  triumphs  of  the  future,  anq",  he 
looked  upon  the  lovely  face  of  the  girl  as  that  of  his  angel. 
She  had  instructed  him  in  the  love  of  the  angels.  She  had 
pointed  out  to  him  the  splendors  of  the  Christian  faith.  Her 
youthful  intellect  had  copiously  poured  out  before  him  the 
treasures  it  had  amassed,  and  as  her  acquirements  were  those 
of  a  precocious  brain,  the  boy  could  have  enjoyed  no  better 


2O  IRENE. 

school.  The  consciousness  which  had  dawned  upon  Madeleine 
that  the  escaped  convict  possessed  intellect  as  well  as  courage 
and  will,  deepened  her  interest  in  his  fate.  And  now  that  they 
were  about  to  part  she  found  that  he  had  become  the  object 
of  very  tender  interest  to  her.  She  felt  vaguely  that  the  boy 
was  destined  to  wield  a  trenchant  sword  in  the  battle  of  life, 
and  that  her  influence  was  going  forth  with  him  for  good. 

She  was  sitting  beside  his  bed,  unconscious  apparently  of 
her  surpassing  loveliness,  with  her  unrestrained  mass  of  misty, 
golden  hair  sweeping  back  upon  her  shoulders,  and  her  fair, 
rose-tinted  cheek  resting  upon  her  clinched  hand.  Her  dark 
eyes  and  darker  lashes  contrasted  strangely  with  her  blonde 
beauty ;  and  it  was  no  wonder  that  the  boy  thought  her  the  most 
beautiful  girl  that  could  be  imagined  outside  of  the  celestial 
land. 

"  You  remember,"  he  said  at  length  in  tremulous  tones,  "  that 
you  were  the  first  voice  that  called  me  innocent.  I  shall 
never  forget  that,  and  if  I  return  from  that  far-off  land  I  will 
lay  at  your  feet  beautiful  things,  rich  things,  that  will  make 
your  eyes  sparkle.  Remember  that  promise.  Remember 
that." 

"  Yes,  I  will  remember  all  you  have  said  to  me,  and  I  want 
you  to  remember  this.  Every  night  I  will  pray  to  the  good 
God  for  you.  When  you  see  the  evening  star  just  rising,  then 
think  that  Madeleine  is  kneeling  down  and  praying  for  you, 
that  you  may  be  everything  that  is  noble,  grand,  and  good." 

"  1  will,"  he  answered  solemnly. 

Deeper  and  darker  lowered  the  night,  and  the  winter  winds 
began  to  raise  their  mournful  voices  upon  the  silence.  Then 
the  evening  star  lifted  suddenly  above  the  clouds  and  like  an 
angel  messenger  moved  on  its  way.  The  eyes  of  these  silent 
children  were  instantly  fixed  upon  it.  and  in  their  souls  that 
solitary  sentinel  of  the  early  night  was  established  as  an  eternal 
memory  of  the  pure  and  the  beautiful. 

"  I  will  call  it  our  star"  she  said  softly. 

"  And  I  will  call  it,"  he  said,  "  Madeleines  star." 


IRENE.  21 


CHAPTER  III. 

'  Push  hincinto  the  river,  and  he  ivill  rise  with  a  fish  in  his  mouth." 

A  rabiati  Proverb. 

MAN  stood  upon  a  mountain  crag  impending  over  the 
Strait  of  Ormuz.  The  night  was  coming  on.  The 
wild  gale  howling  over  the  sea  lashed  the  waves  into 
foam  beneath  his  feet.  Checked  in  their  headlong 
fury  by  the  lofty  wall  of  bare  gray  rock,  the  mad  waves  hurled 
their  malediction  upward  to  the  impeding  cliff  in  hissing  spray, 
which  was  at  intervals  caught  up  by  the  wild  wind  and  scat 
tered.  The  gale  gathered  intensity  with  the  fall  of  the  night 
and  the  man  was  unsteady  upon  his  feet,  tottering  in  the  violent 
force  of  the  wind  sweeping  inland.  The  sombre  sky  grew 
darker,  the  agitated  sea  blacker,  the  booming  of  the  waves 
against  the  cliff  more  appalling.  The  twilight  slowly  faded 
away  into  blackness,  and  the  demons  of  the  night  held  undis 
puted  sway.  The  silent  man  was  lost  in  the  gloom.  Ha !  the 
keen,  bright  signal  of  human  agony  blazed  in  the  offing ;  the 
solemn  boom  of  the  gun  followed  the  flash,  and  was  hushed 
again  by  the  sweeping  gale.  Another  and  still  another  gun 
moaned  from  the  sea,  and  there  was  none  to  help. 

A  gallant  ship  was  beleaguered  by  the  treacherous  waves. 
Behind  her  stretched  the  dangerous  shoals  and  reefs  of  Oman. 
Before  her  lay  the  rocky  mountain  walls  of  Mooristan.  She 
was  heading  apparently  when  the  night  fell  for  the  Persian 
Gulf,  which  she  could  only  reach  by  entering  the  strait  of 
Ormuz  at  a  point  something  like  a  cannon  shot  distant 
from  the  cliff  where  the  solitary  man  stood  watching  her 
movements.  An  hour  before  sunset  this  purpose  seemed 
feasible.  But  the  stiff  breeze  had  freshened  and  gathered  power 
until  it  blew  at  last  a  terrific  gale.  She  had  advanced  far 
enough  by  nightfall  to  render  her  position  hazardous  in  the 
extreme.  To  run  for  the  open  sea  again  in  the  teeth  of  such  a 
violent  gale  was  impossible.  To  lay  off  during  the  night  and 
,  avoid  a  lee  shore,  or  to  mn  boldly  for  the  Strait,  were  the 
alternatives  presented  to  her  commander.  She  was  evidently 
at  dusk,  by  the  quantity  of  canvas  she  spread,  destined  for 
the  latter  alternative.  The  man  on  the  cliff,  before  he  was 
obscured  by  the  night,  had  deprecated  this  manifest  intention 
by  words ;  so  earnest  was  he  in  his  sympathy  for  the  strange 


22  IRENE. 

vessel  and  her  crew.  But  the  wild  winds  only  hurled  his 
words  over  his  shoulder. 

Treacherous  submarine  foes  awaited  the  approach  of  the 
ship,  and  over  their  fangs  the  white  froth  of  rage  was  curling. 
Air  and  water  were  allied  to  the  hidden  eneirff.  Fire  alone 
remained  true  to  man.  A  bright  gleam  trembled  upon  the 
summit  of  the  cliff,  waxed  larger,  brighter,  and  then  shot 
up  into  the  blackness  of  the  night  with  sudden  brilliancy. 
Tongues  of  fire  darted  from  the  swelling,  luminous  mass,  and 
spoke  to  the  mariners,  shrouded  in  gloom,  of  their  proximity  to 
the  coast  Beside  this  new  and  friendly  demon  appeared  the 
figure  of  the  man  who  had  evoked  it.  He  was  clad  from  head 
to  foot  in  robes  of  white,  belted  at  the  waist.  Like  a  ghost, 
solitary  and  startling  he  stood  beside  the  signal  fire  with  his 
strange  and  loosely  fitting  garments  fluttering  away  from  him  in 
the  violence  of  the  gale,  which  also  caused  the  flames  at  inter 
vals  to  lick  the  rock  before  the  prostrating  power  of  its  fury. 
The  sea  thundered  away  beneath  the  fire,  and  its  ghostly  guar 
dian,  the  wind,  howled  savagely  on  its  path  of  ruin,  and  a  black 
ness  horrible  as  Tartarus  enveloped  space.  And  still  at  inter 
vals  came  the  sudden  flash  and  the  sullen  booming  of  the  gun 
from  the  doomed  ship. 

The  man  listened  eagerly  for  each  successive  report,  to  ascer 
tain  if  the  vessel  was  nearing  his  standpoint.  For  a  time  he 
fancied  the  signals  of  distress  boomed  closer  to  him  ;  but 
finally  the  gun  ceased  firing.  He  listened  patiently  for  another 
report  None  came.  The  gun  had  performed  its  last  duty. 
It  was  never  fired  again.  Had  the  vessel  gone  down?  He 
stood  in  the  attitude  of  expectation,  his  eyes  peering  out  into 
the  horrible  darkness  which  overhung  the  sea.  The  roar  of 
the  waters,  the  howl  of  the  gale,  and  the  slashing  of  the  surf 
as  it  madly  essayed  to  climb  the  cliff,  met  his  ear.  No  sound 
that  indicated  the  existence  of  man  came  to  him.  He  ap 
proached  the  edge  of  the  rock  and  gazed  down  into  the  waves. 
His  fire  served  to  illumine  a  narrow  space  about  him.  It  re 
vealed  a  short  belt  of  glistening  black  water  breaking  into 
foam.  The  face  of  the  rock  was  peq>endicular.  A  bullet 
dropped  from  his  hand  would  fall  into  the  surf.  He  watched 
the  fearful  blows  dealt  upon  the  adamantine  wall  by  the  Titans 
of  the  deep.  Higher  and  higher  they  seemed  to  mount  at 
every  new  effort,  and  then  receding  left  a  gloomy  abyss  behind, 
into  which  the  ensuing  waves  rolled  heavily,  and  sweeping  up 
ward  made  a  fresh  assault  upon  the  rocky  barrier. 


IRENE.  23 

The  solitary  watcher  grew  weary  at  length  with  his  long  vigil. 
His  eyes  were  no  longer  bent  seaward.  He  turned  from  the 
cliff  s  edge,  and  replenished  his  fire.  The  supply  of  fuel  he  had 
gathered  was  meagre,  and  after  heaping  the  remaining  fragments 
of  the  wood  upon  the  blazing  pile,  he  sat  down  upon  the  rock, 
and  contemplated  the  play  of  the  flames  as  they  mounted  up 
ward  for  an  instant,  and  then  swept  backward  from  the  cliffs 
edge  in  the  fierce  pressure  of  the  gale.  His  thoughts  were 
with  the  unfortunate  inmates  of  the  vessel,  tossing  upon  the 
mad  waves,  or  already  engulfed  in  their  triumphant  embrace. 

Seconds,  minutes,  hours  rolled  away,  and  still  the  motionless 
figure  of  the  white-robed  watcher  sat  by  the  sea  in  reverie.  At 
length,  when  his  fire  had  burnt  itself  out  and  the  winds  had 
begun  to  scatter  the  remaining  ashes  and  sparks  from  the  dying 
coals  over  the  surface  of  the  rock,  he  arose,  and  walking  inland 
over  the  table  rock,  was  about  to  descend  a  natural  stairway  to 
a  cavern  which  was  his  solitary  abode,  when  a  crash  as  x>f  break 
ing  timbers  startled  his  ear.  He  paused  in  amazement.  Then 
his  very  soul  was  pierced  with  a  ciy  of  mortal  agony.  Another 
crash  ensued,  filling  him  with  terrible  apprehensions.  Pierc 
ing  yells  of  terror  arose  upon  the  darkness.  The  ill-fated  ship 
had  been  forced  upon  the  very  cliff  lighted  up  for  her  salva 
tion.  Borne  along  by  the  fury  of  the  gale,  she  had  become  un 
manageable,  and  head  on  had  struck  the  rock  when  lifted  up 
on  the  crest  of  an  enormous  wave.  At  the  first  shock  the  jib- 
boom  was  broken  and  thrown  over  the  bow  into  the  vessel. 
The  second  shock  carried  away  her  bowsprit,  head  and  cut 
water,  lodging  the  timbers  across  the  bows.  Turning  away 
from  her  enemy  and  swinging  clear,  she  was  dashed  again  upon 
the  rock,  receiving  on  her  larboard  quarter  the  last  awful  shock 
which  opened  her  hull  to  the  waves.  The  cries  of  the  drown 
ing  men  were  soon  hushed  in  the  roar  of  the  sea  vaulting  over 
her,  and  the  shrieks  of  the  gale  waxed  louder,  and  the  surf 
rushed  more  frantically  up  the  face  of  the  rock.  Grim  death 
claimed  the  throne  where  the  beacon  fire  died. 

So  unexpected  was  the  catastrophe  at  that  point,  and  so 
sudden  the  crash,  that  the  listener's  blood  went  violently  back 
upon  his  heart,  and  he  stood  for  a  brief  time  paralyzed  in  the 
darkness.  The  ship  had  miraculously  passed  unharmed  through 
the  breakers  from  which  his  beacon  fire  was  intended  to  warn 
the  mariners,  only  to  be  dashed  in  pieces  at  his  very  feet.  He 
recovered  from  the  first  effect  of  the  great  horror,  and  groped 
his  way  down  the  rocky  stairs,  seeking  for  a  light  He  came 


24  IRENE, 

at  length  to  the  mouth  of  his  cave,  and  passing  in,  found  a 
torch  in  a  cleft  of  rock.  Grasping  the  light,  he  retraced  his 
steps  to  the  summit  of  the  cliff,  and  advancing  to  the  edge  of 
the  rock  held  aloft  his  torch  and  gazed  down  into  the  agitated 
deep.  He  detected,  after  his  eyes  had  grown  accustomed  to 
the  wild  scene,  fragments  of  the  ship's  timbers  and  some  of  her 
spars  floating  upon  the  waves.  But  no  human  wrecks  were 
visible,  no  ghastly  images  of  men  sVayed  back  and  forth  or 
rolled  and  fell  with  the  capricious  waters.  The  sea  was  hiding 
its  victims,  and  the  ghostly  torch-bearer  was  appalled  at  the 
completeness  of  her  triumph  over  men. 

Strange  tableau  !  Midnight,  an  aged  man  in  white,  a  flut 
tering  torch-light,  a  storm-wrapt  cliff,  an  angry  sea.  Mysteri 
ous  life  looking  for  mysterious  death.  He  found  none.  Of  all 
the  gallant  crew,  not  one  had  come  to  land.  Gladly  would  the 
watcher  have  welcomed  one  human  face  upturned  to  him  in 
entreaty.  Gladly  would  he  have  tendered  the  hospitality  of  his 
cavern  to  the  shipwrecked.  Alas  !  the  remorseless  sea  spared 
none.  He  turned  away  at  length  from  the  frantic  waves.  He 
walked  slowly  to  his  rocky  retreat.  He  gained  the  entrance, 
passed  in,  and  replaced  his  torch  in  the  cleft  of  the  rock. 
Then  he  sank  into  his  chair,  a  seat  which  none  but  a  hermit 
would  have  planned.  It  was  formed  entirely  of  great  branches 
of  red  coral.  In  the  markets  of  the  world  that  graceful  fau- 
tcuil  would  have  commanded  a  fabulous  price.  How  had  the 
aged  hermit  wrested  it  from  the  grasp  of  the  Oceanides  ? 

In  his  torch-lighted  cavern,  and  seated  in  his  coral  chair,  the 
man  in  white  pondered  long  and  deeply  the  mysteries  of  that 
fearful  night.  Keenly  alive  to  all  human  sympathies,  and 
grieved  to  the  heart  that  his  arm  had  been  powerless  to  help, 
there  was,  nevertheless,  one  source  of  disappointment  con 
nected  with  that  eventful  night  which  seemed  to  bewilder  this 
solitary  being  more  than  all  else.  The  stars  had  deceived  him 
for  the  first  time  in  all  his  life.  They  had  been  false  to  their 
most  ardent  votary.  He  was  an  astrologer.  The  occult  lore 
of  the  Orient  regarding  those  luminous  inhabitants  of  the  sky 
was  his  birthright.  His  father  was  an  astrologer  before  him. 
In  his  upturned  eager  face  the  mysterious  planets  had  sifted 
their  holy  light,  and  in  their  service  he  had  grown  gray.  Had 
the  world  known  how  thoroughly  that  venerable  hermit  had 
studied  the  stars,  that  same  gay,  thoughtless  world  would  have 
trembled  when  his  name  was  pronounced. 

Zenayi  was  a  mystery  to  his  race.     No  man  claimed  kin- 


IRENE  25 

dred  with  him.  Whoever  disputed  his  knowledge  was  eventu 
ally  proved  to  be  a  fool.  The  savans  of  the  East  mentioned 
his  name  with  profound  reverence.  Knowledge  of  the  tree, 
the  plant,  or  the  flower ;  knowledge  of  the  tides,  the  winds,  or  the 
temperatures ;  knowledge  of  the  maladies  of  men,  knowledge 
of  the  properties  of  minerals  or  metals,  knowledge  of  the  flora 
or  fauna  of  all  lands,  knowledge  in  every  department  of  human 
research  —  was,  by  universal  consent,  admitted  to  have  been 
mastered  by  Zenayi.  It  was  beyond  human  comprehension, 
however,  that  he  should  have  so  thoroughly  mastered  learning 
in  sixty  years  of  mortal  life.  That  he  was  only  sixty,  was  his 
own  statement.  And  yet  no  one  would  dispute  this  figure. 
For  Zenayi' s  word  was  unimpeachable.  Learned  as  Zenayi, 
truthful  as  Zenayi,  had  become  Oriental  proverbs. 

The  stars  had  deceived  him  for  the  first  time.  The  myste 
rious  science  of  reading  destiny  by  the  position  of  the  planets 
had  proved  false.  On  the  night  preceding  the  wreck,  his 
astrological  .calculations  had  informed  him  positively  of  the 
arrival  in  distress  of  a  stranger  who  should  become  a  great 
benefactor  to  Persia.  The  designated  night  was  far  spent,  and 
still  no  stranger  had  come.  Were  the  stars  no  longer  friendly 
to  their  great  servant  ? 

The  chagrin  at  his  loss  of  power  kept  him  from  sleep.  He 
sat  in  his  coral  chair,  thoughtful  and  silent  through  the  lonely 
hours,  listening  to  the  roar  of  the  sea  and  the  whistling  of  the 
wind  which  came  to  his  ears  even  within  the  shelter  of  his 
cave.  The  sounds  were  subdued  in  the  distance,  but  he  knew 
the  wild  work  was  still  going  on.  And  thus  moody  and  silent 
he  sat  until  morning.  His  torch  had  long  ago  flickered  out, 
and  the  first  light  that  replaced  it  was  the  dawn,  showing 
faintly  at  the  mouth  of  his  cavern.  He  moved  not  from  his 
seat  until  the  sunlight  burst  upon  the  earth.  Then  he  knew 
that  the  storm  was  ended,  and  he  walked  forth  again  to  view 
the  sea  and  the  strait.  He  mounted  to  the  cliff  in  the  full 
blaze  of  the  Persian  sunrise,  and  watched  the  waves  slowly 
subside  with  the  advent  of  the  day. 

"  Ha!"  he  exclaimed;  "the  stars  never  will  deceive  me." 

His  eye  had  discovered  the  promised  stranger.  Seated 
upon  a  rock,  a  hundred  yards  from  the  face  of  the  cliff,  and 
entirely  surrounded  by  the  waters,  was  a  lone  sailor  boy.  That 
rock  was  never  covered  by  the  sea  during  the  most  violent 
storms.  To  this  safe  haven  had  destiny  swept  the  boy  when 
the  ship  foundered.  Zenayi  shouted  to  him  in  the  English 
2 


7.6  IRENE. 

tongue  to  be  of  good  cheer,  for  succor  was  at  hand.  He  kne* 
by  the  build  and  canvas  of  the  lost  ship  that  she  hailed  fioin 
Anglo-Saxon  lands.  The  poor  boy  rose  to  his  feet,  and  an- 
s  we  red  I >;irk  : 

••  lor  (lod's  sake  send  off  a  boat." 

Zenayi  called  again,  "  Will  you  trust  to  the  boat  I  send  ?  " 

"  A  ir,"  came  back  the  manly  response. 

••  U'ait,  then,  till  the  sea  goes  down,  and  I  will  send  you  a 
safe  boat,  such  as  you  never  saw  before." 

"  All  right ! "  was  shouted  back  from  the  rock,  and  the 
young  sailor  seated  himself  again  to  wait  for  the  tranquillity  of 
the  sea.  The  astrologer  immediately  sought  the  rocky  stair 
way  and  disappeared.  The  boy  sat  quietly  upon  his  rock, 
eagerly  watching  the  mainland.  An  hour  passed,  and  no  one 
appeared  to  succor  him.  Still  another  hour,  and  no  boat  came 
to  his  relief.  The  waves  had  gone  down  and  the  sea  was 
tranquil.  He  spied  at  last  the  astrologer  mounting  to  the 
summit  of  the  cliff.  This  white  robed  being  approached  the 
sea  and  hailed  the  young  sailor  again. 

"  Trust  to  the  boat  I  send  you  without  fear.  Don't  attempt 
to  swim,  for  there  are  quicksands  on  the  shore  more  deadly 
than  the  sea." 

The  boy  promised  obedience  to  this  behest,  and  instantly 
the  astrologer  raised  to  his  lips  a  silver  call  and  sounded  upon 
it  a  shrill  summons,  which  travelled  far  away  upon  the  air. 
Again  and  again  the  shrill  notes  were  repeated,  and  then  he 
paused.  From  a  point  far  inland  the  answer  came,  but  it  was 
not  the  response  of  a  human  being.  The  strange  cry  came 
nearer,  now  appearing  to  descend  into  the  valleys  between  the 
barren  rook  mountains  which  lined  the  shore,  and  again  wax 
ing  louder,  as  if  uttered  from  some  summit  nearer  to  the  sea. 
Nearer  and  nearer  came  the  mysterious  sound,  uttered  only  at 
intervals.  At  last  the  mystery  was  revealed  to  the  young  sailor. 
He  caught  a  glimpse  of  some  white  object  winding  among  the 
rocks.  It  came  nearer,  and  then  descended  once  more  into  a 
valley  ;  then  it  rose  rapidly  to  the  summit  of  the  cliff  where  the 
astrologer  stood,  and  burst  at  once  into  full  view.  It  was  a 
magnittcent,  spotless  young  Arabian  stallion,  snow-white,  proud, 
and  spirited  as  Bucephalus. 

hing  up  to  the  astrologer,  the  horse  rubbed  his  nose 
againr-t  his  arm  for  a  caress.  He  received  it,  then  wheeled 
away,  and  with  a  circular  sweep  around  the  summit  of  the  cliff, 
returned  again  to  liis  master's  side  and  stood  there  motionless. 


IRENE.  27 

"  This  is  my  boat,"  shouted  the  man  in  white  to  the  young 
sailor,  who  wondered  at  this  unexpected  deno&ment."  The  horse 
is  familiar  with  this  shore  ;  I  will  make  him  come  to  you  ;  trust 
him  with  your  life,  and  cling  tight  to  him." 

Without  waiting  for  a  reply,  the  astrologer  commenced  to  de 
scend  laterally  the  cliff,  and  the  steed  walked  after  him.  He 
made  his  way  down  to  the  shore  at  a  point  far  away  from  the 
rock  where  the  young  sailor  was  now  standing  in  eager  curi 
osity.  This  youthful  son  of  Neptune  had  never  mounted  a 
horse  in  his  life,  and  this  wild  creature  of  the  deserts  was  to  be 
his  boat  to  bear  him  to  safety.  Gaining  a  low  beach  far  away, 
the  astrologer  pronounced  some  words  to  the  Arabian,  in  the 
ancient  Achoemenian  Persian  dialect.  The  steed  seemed  in 
comprehend  his  master  perfectly,  for  with  a  toss  of  his  head  and 
mane  as  a  preliminary  to  his  adventure,  he  stepped  daintily  into 
the  surf  now  reduced  to  a  low  white  frill  along  the  beach,  gave 
a  dozen  convulsive  plunges  into  deeper  water,  and  then  swam 
steadily  for  the  isolated  rock.  It  was  doubtless  no  new  desti 
nation  for  his  imperial  highness.  With  his  superb  white  head 
proudly  lifted  above  the  green  waves,  he  held  directly  on  to 
wards  the  young  sailor's  place  of  refuge.  The  boy  clambered 
down  from  his  rocky  perch  to  the  water's  edge  to  meet  the 
Arabian.  A  broad,  flat  rock,  from  which  the  waves  had  receded 
after  the  storm,  was  just  visible  above  the  water  line,  and  upon 
this  level  platform  he  sprang  with  easy  effort,  and  awaited  the 
upshot  of  this  extraordinary  message. 

The  faithful  and  intelligent  beast  gained  at  length  the  table- 
rock,  but  experienced  some  difficulty  in  raising  himself  from 
the  sea  on  to  it.  He  assayed  two  or  three  points  before  he 
accomplished  this  difficult  feat,  but  at  last  he  mastered  the  diffi 
culty,  and  stood  triumphantly  beside  the  sailor  on  the  rock. 
The  boy,  deeming  a  little  rest  necessary  for  the  steed,  stood 
patting  his  neck,  which  .the  Arabian  took  kindly,  occasionally 
stretching  out  his  neck  to  take  a  look  after  his  distant  master. 
He  appeared  to  be  perfectly  docile,  and  as  well  trained  as  a 
dog ;  but  when  the  boy  assayed  to  mount  him,  there  were  some 
decided  manifestations  of  impatience  on  the  part  of  the  horse, 
who  soon  discovered  that  the  sailor  was  a  tyro  in  this  art.  At 
the  sailor's  first  awkward  attempt  to  clamber  up  his  dripping 
side,  the  steed  shied  away  from  him,  and  he  sprawled  out  upon 
the  rock  ;  this  ridiculous  failure  was  followed  by  another  and 
more  successful  effort.  Twisting  a  lock  of  the  Arabian's  mane 
round  his  forefinger  to  secure  a  hold,  he  sprang  quickly  up  to 


28  IRENE. 

his  back,  and  then  threw  his  right  leg  clear  over  the  horse.  The 
steed  plunged  for  a  moment,  but  the  sailor  clung  tenaciously, 
and  maintained  his  seat.  The  horse  needed  little  urging  to 
induce  him  to  take  to  the  water  a  second  time,  and  with  a  tre 
mendous  splash  he  sank  into  the  waves,  rose  again,  and  struck 
out  for  the  'shore,  bearing  his  young  rider  in  triumph. 

Steadily  the  beautiful  beast  breasted  the  waves,  heading  for 
the  low  beach  and  the  astrologer.  The  latter  stood  anxiously 
watching  the  inexperienced  horseman.  "  The  man  of  destiny," 
he  muttered, "  is  tenacious  —  a  good  quality  !  I  will  teach  that 
young  rascal  how  to  mount  and  ride  a  horse  before  I'm  done 
with  him.  See  him  !  see  him  cling  !  That's  a  sailor's  art,  after 
all.  He'll  learn  —  he'll  learn." 

The  Arabian  was  now  rapidly  nearing  his  goal ;  he  had  evi 
dently  often  before  borne  riders  through  the  yielding  element. 
He  manifested  no  uncertainty  of  purpose,  but  swam  right  for  the 
astrologer,  reached  at  length  the  beach,  and  rose  proudly  from 
the  surf  with  his  dripping  rider.  His  master  caught  him  by  the 
head  as  he  landed,  and  gave  the  sailor  an  opportunity  to  dis 
mount,  knowing  full  well  that  otherwise  the  chances  were  in 
favor  of  his  being  flung  over  the  Arabian's  head.  The  boy  slid 
from  the  back  of  the  steed  and  stood  upon  terra  firma.  The 
astrologer  released  the  horse,  and  gazed  curiously  at  the  sailor 
boy,  the  mysterious  stranger  who  was  to  become  so  thoroughly 
identified  with  the  welfare  of  Persia.  What  had  the  eternal  stars 
sent  to  him  ?  A  youth  of  seventeen,  muscular  and  beautiful  as 
Cleobulus ;  a  figure  full  of  grace,  a  countenance  sharply  chis 
elled  but  of  princely  beauty,  and  an  eye  piercingly  black,  large, 
almond-shaped  and  chatoyant.  The  silky  black  waving  hair 
was  singularly  luxuriant  in  growth,  and  clustered  upon  his  white 
temples  in  unkempt  masses.  He  was  fair,  but  with  eyelashes 
and  eyebrows  dark  as  jet.  His  breadth  of  forehead  was  of  the 
poetic  type;  his  mouth  large,  but  exquisitely  cut;  and  at  times 
the  thin  lips  clenched  together  as  if  they  would  never  part  again. 
His  chin  was  long  and  singularly  pointed,  curving  outward. 
The  whole  effect  of  the  features  was  to  induce  the  belief  that 
rare  manly  beauty  and  indomitable  will  had  blendecj  in  one 
face.  But  the  eye,  the  terrible  eye,  ever  roving,  ever  varying 
in  expression,  attracted  instant  attention  by  its  well  like  depth 
and  clearness,  its  luminous  blackness,  its  power  of  command. 
It  seemed  to  penetrate  into  the  hidden  arcana  of  men's  thoughts, 
and  to  order  those  thoughts  to  be  abandoned,  or  to  be  em 
ployed  at  once  in  vigorous  action.  It  is  essential  to  a  proper 


IRENE.  29 

comprehension  of  certain  scenes  to  be  portrayed  in  the  ensuing 
pages  that  the  reader  should  form  a  vivid  idea  of  the  large,  black, 
commanding  eyes  of  the  young  shipwrecked  sailor — eyes  which 
admitted  of  no  parley,  and  recognized  the  existence  of  no  will 
but  their  own.  There  were  moments  of  softness  and  kindness 
for  those  dark  eyes,  and  the  depth  of  that  tenderness  was  un 
fathomable.  But  the  habitual,  predominant  expression  of  those 
dazzling  lamps  of  thought  was  this  :  "  We  are  born  to  com 
mand,  and  our  will  shall  be  accomplished,  or  we  perish  in  forc 
ing  it  over  obstacles." 

Watching  the  powerful  and  wonderful  play  of  these  dictato 
rial  eyes,  Zenayi,  the  astrologer,  stood  for  a  moment  abashed, 
bewildered,  awed.  Recovering  himself,  however,  and  ashamed 
to  have  been  so  influenced  and  dazzled  by  a  boy,  he  extended 
his  hand  to  the  young  sailor,  and  kindly  welcomed  him  to  the 
hospitality  of  his  cavern  in  the  cliff. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

EEKS  and  months  flew  by,  and  still  the  young  sailor 
remained  an  inmate  of  Zenayi' s  cave.  Without  a  rela 
tive  in  the  world,  it  mattered  little  to  him  where  he  iar- 
ried  or  whither  he  sailed.  The  cave,  moreover,  had  been 
tendered  to  him  as  a  permanent  home  so  long  as  he  chose  to 
regard  it  as  such.  He  was  informed  that  for  a  portion  of  each 
year  Zenayi  would  be  absent.  Indeed,  a  summons  from  the 
Shah  of  Persia  might  at  any  moment  recall  him  to  the  capital 
of  the  empire.  But  so  long  as  the  sailor  was  content  to  remain, 
so  long  was  the  shelter  of  the  cave  guaranteed  to  him.  The 
humble  repast  of  the  quasi  hermit  was  also  free  to  him  as  long 
as  he  remained.  This  consisted  of  bread,  grapes  in  their  sea 
son,  the  delicious  dates  of  Dalaki,  and  clear  water  from  a 
mountain  spring.  These  came  to  the  cave  twice  in  every  week 
from  the  governor  of  the  province  of  Kerman,  by  direction  of 
his  royal  master.  But  the  privileges  of  the  spacious  cavern  in 
cluded  something  more  precious  than  food  and  shelter.  There 
was  the  opportunity  and  there  were  the  facilities  for  mental  cul 
ture.  Zenayi  was  teaching  his  young  guest.  The  cave  was  his 


30  .        IRENE. 

own  sanctum  for  study,  and  surrounded  by  valuable  books,  he 
willingly  encouraged  the  youthful  sailor  in  his  aspirations  after 
knowledge.  He  held  out  to  the  eager  boy  hopes  of  advance 
ment  in  life  if  only  he  would  implicitly  follow  the  directions  of 
his  instructor.  He  intimated  that  his  own  influence  at  the  Per 
sian  court  was  great,  and  that  industry  and  application  would 
prepare  his  pupil  for  a  favorable  presentation  to  the  Shah?1  He 
fostered  in  the  youth  the  ambition  which  he  soon  ascertained 
was  far  from  being  dormant. 

Zenayi  was  a  scholar  of  marvellous  intellectual  gifts,  and  his 
adscifitious  endowments  were  almost  incredible.  Under  the 
magic  influence  of  his  stupendous  learning  and  his  scholarly  en 
thusiasm,  the  youthful  student  was  thoroughly  aroused.  "  labor 
ipse  roluptas"  he  said  to  the  student ;  and  by  his  judicious  ar 
rangement  and  division  of  the  duties  of  each  day,  he  made 
labor  a  pleasure  indeed.  "  Toil  vigorously  in  your  studies,"  he 
said,  "  if  you  would  gain  power  over  men.  Your  intellect  will 
rule  your  fellows,  if  you  add  to  its  development  the  study  of 
men.  The*  elastic  muscularity  of  the  gladiator  results  only 
from  systematic  culture.  If  you  would  equal  Tamerlane,  that 
marvel  of  Asia,  emulate  his  systematic  and  persistent  applica 
tion  of  means  to  ends." 

When  these  words  of  wisdom  fell  upon  the  student's  ear, 
there  was  to  be  seen  an  expanding  of  the  pupils  of  those  mar 
vellous  dark  eyes  which  thrilled  Zenayi.  A  great  intellect  was 
slumbering  in  those  luminous  depths.  How  anxiously  the  sage 
watched  its  development,  for  had  not  the  eternal  stars  foretold 
the  great  influence  of  the  stranger  on  the  future  of  his  beloved 
Persia  ? 

But  when  the  boy  looked  in  Zenayi' s  dark  eyes,  he  was  filled 
with  an  undefined  awe.  Something  far  away  and  deep  in  those 
mysterious  eyes  gave  the  impression  of  superhuman  intelli 
gence,  the  idea  that  the  sage  reached  his  conclusions  regarding 
the  motives  and  characters  of  men  by  a  process  unknown  to 
mortals.  It  was  impossible  to  shake  off  this  awe  when  a  full, 
fair  look  was  had  into  those  strange  depths.  From  that  dark 
an  illimitable  memory  seemed  to  beckon,  an  omnipresent 
consciousness,  a  fathomless  intelligence.  Not  that  the  sage  was 
aught  but  gentleness,  kindness,  tenderness  personified,  lint 
to  this  student  boy,  and  to  all  men,  there  looked  out  from 
those  eyes  a  depth  of  mystery,  a  far-off  soul,  that  made  one 
gaze  again,  and  gaze  in  awe.  Like  objects  viewed  through  an 
inverted  telescope,  there  appeared  to  be  far-off  realities,  but  no 


IRENE.  31 

presences.  And  yet  the  genial  smile  would  ripple  upon  the 
man's  lips,  the  merriment  would  bubble  up  from  his  generous 
heart,  and  one's  very  soul  would  warm  towards  him,  until  his 
eyes  contemplated  you.  Then,  you  would  fall  a-dreaming  of  the 
earliest  consciousness  you  ever  had,  and  wonder  why  his  look 
suggested  so  much  and  told  so  little.  He  was  the  living,  mov 
ing,  breathing  sphinx  of  Persia.  He  knew  too  much  ;  his  in 
tellectual  grasp  was  too  extensive  ;  his  memory  too  vast.  The 
Oriental  savans  shook  their  heads.  What  wonder,  then,  that 
the  sailor  marvelled,  standing  as  he  did,  expectant,  only  at 
the  threshold  of  science.  His  brief  experience  on  the  sea  had 
given  him  a  fair  knowledge  of  seamanship  ;  but  this  mysterious, 
white-robed  scholar,  with  his  lambskin  cap.  and  white,  sweep 
ing  beard,  and  penetrating  black  eyes,  had  told  him  in  a  few 
months  more  of  the  practical  handling  of  a  ship,  than  he 
believed  the  drowned  captain  and  the  mates  had  ever  learned 
on  thedeep.  Zenayi,  in  the  hours  of  relaxation  from  study, 
had  named  to  him  every  rope,  spar,  and  sheet  in  the  various 
styles  'oTshipping.  He  had  designated  their  uses,  and  their 
proper  handling  in  various  emergencies  on  Neptune's  realm. 
The  sailor  would  not  have  hesitated  to  sail  under  such  a  captain, 
as  a  practical  seaman. 

And  when,  in  addition  to  this  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
tides,  winds,  waves,  and  manoeuvring  of  vessels  upon  the  sur 
face  of  the  sea,  Zenayi  commenced  to  instnict  him  in  the  lore 
of  submarine  plants  and  shells,  his  amazement  knew  no  bounds. 
In  this  subtle  reaching  of  the  young  sailor's  heart,  through  his 
profession,  had  the  sage  undermined  the  boy's  prejudices  against 
landsmen.  It  was  evident  enough  that  his  instructor  was  a 
sailor — a  genuine  blue-jacket.  He  would  trust  and  follow 
such  a  man  to  death.  It  was  an  easy  step  after  this  to  take 
an  interest  in  the  varied  learning  which  was  spread  so  seduct 
ively  before  him.  He  studied  then,  and  he  studied  zealously, 
every  book  that  was  opened  to  him.  He  acquired  the  Persian 
language,  assumed  the  habits  of  the  people  whom  Zenayi  pre 
sented  to  him  in  their  occasional  visits  to  Kerman,  the  capital 
of  the  province,  and  he  rapidly  became  expert  in  the  use  of 
their  arms. 

He  soon  realized  that  his  mysterious  instructor  contemplated 
great  destinies  for  him.  In  that  consciousness  his  soul  awoke. 
He  devoured  every  book  of  history  that  he  was  allowed  to 
open.  The  exploits  of  great  men  thrilled  him.  But  he  was 
seldom  permitted  to  indulge  in  such  intellectual  diet.  Zenayi 


32  IRENE. 

held  him  down  to  drier  studies.  He  was  being  educated  in 
practical  manhood,  in  military  science,  and  in  oratory.  His 
hours  for  p.iysical  exercise  were  devoted  almost  exclusively  to 
horsemanship.  From  the  day  Zenayi  discovered  his  awkward 
ness  upon  the  back  of  the  Arabian  steed,  he  was  flung  upon 
the  horse  again  and  again,  and  made  to  fly  over  the  rocky  hills 
and  valleys,  without  saddle  or  bridle.  He  had  many  a  fall  and 
many  a  bruise  from  the  caprices  of  the  white  beauty  that  gave 
him  the  mountain  air,  but  he  was  allowed  no  respite  until  he 
had  mastered  the  Arabian.  Then  his  instructor  sent  away  the 
stallion  from  that  barren  neighborhood,  and  had  him  replaced  by 
a  fiery  devil  of  the  Kochlani  breed,  which  traces  its  pedigree  to 
King  Solomon's  matchless  coiysers. 

"  You  stand  upon  the  soil  immortalized  by  the  triumphs  of 
Alexander.  Through  Kerman  itself  that  conqueror  marched, 
while  his  Admiral  Nearchus  led  the  fleet  through  the  strait  at  the 
foot  of  this  cliff.  You  shall  learn  to  ride  like  Alexander.  By 
Ormuzd  !  I  swear  it." 

This  was  Alphonso's  first  introduction  to  those  fleet  and  fiery 
steeds  whose  ardent  temperaments  aptly  entitle  them  to  the  ap 
pellation,  "  horses  of  the  sun." 

The  impetuous  beast  was  led  up  to  the  mouth  of  the  cave, 
saddled  and  bridled,  by  a  mounted  rover  belonging  to  the  tribe 
or  clan  of  the  fierce  Bakhtiaris,  whose  turbulence  and  plunder 
ing  propensities  so  frequently  oblige  the  Persian  monarch  to 
employ  his  regular  troops  in  their  chastisement.  The  head  of 
this  high-caste  Arabian  steed  was  more  beautifully  formed,  and 
more  intelligent,  than  that  of  an  English  thorough-bred.  His 
forehead,  too,  was  broader,  his  muzzle  finer,  his  eye  more  prom 
inent.  The  eye  lighted  tip  occasionally  with  great  brilliancy. 
No  doubt  that  brilliancy  would  deepen  and  grow  permanent 
when  he  was  at  full  speed.  His  ear  was  beautifully  pricked, 
and  of  exquisite  shape  and  sensitiveness.  The  nostril  was 
singularly  thick  and  closed,  but  it  would  expand  ere  long  in  the 
excitement  of  motion,  and  when  the  lungs  were  in  full  play. 
Then,  too,  the  membrane  would  show  scarlet,  and  as  if  on  fire. 
The  point  where  his  head  was  put  on  the  neck  was  delicate. 
His  neck  was  strong,  light,  and  muscular,  a  little  short  when 
co.. .pared  with  the  English  stallion,  and  thick.  The  neck  ran 
into  the  shoulders  gradually,  and  came  down  rather  perpendic 
ularly  into  them.  His  shoulders  were  flat  and  thin.  iJetween 
th^  knees,  and  behind  the  saddle,  where  the  English  thorough 
bred  falls  off,  he  was  barrel-ribbed.  This  gave  him  wonderful 


IRENE.  33 

endurance,  and  his  great  constitutional  points.  This,  too,  gave 
him  power  to  endure  severe  training  and  long  marches  on 
scanty  food.  His  chest  was  amply  broad  and  deep  for  strength 
and  bottom.  The  elbow  point,  that  essential  bone,  was  promi 
nent,  fine,  and  played  clear  of  the  body.  The  fore-arm  was 
strong  and  muscular,  and  rather  long,  and  £he  knee  square. 
Below  the  knee  was  manifested  wonderful  power  in  the  liga 
ments  and  flexor  tendons.  The  shank  bone  was  small,  dense, 
and  solid  like  ivory.  The  feet  were  dainty  ;  his  hind  quarters 
beautifully  made,  his  tail  came  out  high,  his  hind  leg  straight- 
dropped,  his  thighs  and  hock  good.  His  stride  in  going  was 
like  a  bound.  He  manifestly  could  not  exceed  fourteen  and  a 
half  hands  high,  and  came,  no  doubt,  from  the  province  of 
Khorassan. 

This  silken-coated,  chestnut-colored  prince  of  flight  pos 
sessed  a  nervous  organization  sensitive  and  delicate,  a  nature 
susceptible  to  the  alternatives  of  love  or  hate.  Whichever  was 
uppermost  or  developed  was  carried  to  the  extreme.  The 
rover  of  the  clan  of  the  Bakhtiaris  had  maltreated  this  imperial 
courser.  There  had  been  trouble  already  —  more  was  brew 
ing. 

Zenayi  took  the  reins  from  the  hand  of  the  rover  and  held 
the  fiery  steed  by  the  head,  while  Alfonso  took  his  position 
(preparatory  to  mounting)  opposite  the  near  fore -foot  of  the 
horse.  The  sage  thus  addressed  his  pupil  : 

"  You  are  now  to  demonstrate  whether  you  are  qualified 
to  command  a  troop  of  Persian  horse.  The  horsemen  of  my 
country  are  the  most  daring  in  the  world.  They  will  dash  up 
great  and  fearful  acclivities  —  they  will  tear  ahead  at  break 
neck  speed  amid  crags  and  broken  masses  of  rock  where  the 
cavalry  of  other  lands  would  pick  their  way  daintily.  They  are 
not  madmen,  though  they  often  ride  like  them.  Skill  in  the 
management  of  their  steeds  is  the  whole  secret.  This  friendly 
rover  of  the  tribe  of  the  Bakhtiaris  will  lead  on  his  horse: 
follow  him  if  you  can.  Upon  your  success  depends  your  future 
in  the  cavalry  of  the  Shah.  I  have  taught  you  the  history  of 
the  battles  where  our  cavalry  and  those  of  the  Circassians  were 
posted  on  crags  and  mountain  tops.  Boy,  you  have  the  eye 
of  a  commander ;  you  have  wound  yourself  around  my  heart. 
I  trust  the  good  Ormuzd  will  permit  me  to  see  you  return  safe. 
But  you  will,  before  you  have  followed  this  rover  far,  discover 
that  the  flight  of  a  Persian  horse  is  no  hilling  matter.  He  is 
of  pure,  noble  blood,  from  both  sire  and  dam.  The  Arabs 
2* 


34  IRENE. 

would  class  him,  for  this  reason,  under  that  most  aristocratic 
head,  El  Horr.  I  warn  you  in  advance  that  he  is  angered. 
He  has  been  tantali/ed,  worried,  and  maltreated  until  his  blood 
is  on  fire  for  revenge.  I  know  it  by  his  eye  and  other  indu 
bitable  signs.  Cling  to  him  like  death,  and  follow  your  leader. 
Yonder  mountain  top  is  your  limit ;  gain  that  without  being 
unseated,  and  you  are  then  ready  for  the  first  campaign  against 
the  Shah's  revolted  subjects,  the  fierce  Bakhtiaris." 

He  pointed  away  to  a  far-off  peak  of  the  naked  rock  moun 
tains  which  line  the  Strait  of  Ormuz.  Valleys  and  ragged 
mountain  crags  intervened.  It  was  a*  fearful  field  for  cavalry 
practice.  Then  he  looked  in  the  face  of  the  young  recruit. 
No  sign  of  shrinking  from  the  dangerous  duty  was  manifest. 
Alfonso  had  from  his  experience  on  the  white  Arabian,  ac 
quired  a  firm  seat  in  the  saddle  and  a  ready  hand  and  eye. 
He  deemed  one  who  had  taken  his  first  lessons  on  the  bare 
back  of  an  Arabian  stallion  equal  to  the  management  of  any 
horse.  He  therefore  signified  his  readiness  for  the  adventure, 
took  the  reins,  mounted  and  was  off,  the  rover  leading. 

The  sage  stood  looking  after  them  until  they  disappeared  in 
their  headlong  career  going  down  into  a  valley.  "  Great 
Ormuzd,  spare  him,  spare  him ! "  he  ejaculated,  looking  up 
reverently  to  heaven.  Then  a  smile  crossed  his  venerable 
face,  and  he  exclaimed,  "  How  dare  I  doubt  the  stars  ?  They 
have  announced  that  youth  as  the  benefactor  of  Persia." 

While  the  sage  meditated,  the  fiery  steeds  had  crossed  the 
ravine,  ascended  the  adjacent  cliff,  dashed  rapidly  through  the 
rocky  path  beyond  it,  and  were  flying  like  the  wind  along  the 
brink  of  a  chasm  bearing  the  ominous  title,  Mdek  al  m<^>t 
dereh  (Valley  of  the  Angel  of  Death).  No  tree  or  shrub  or 
blade  of  grass  was  near.  Desolation  and  broken  rocks  were 
everywhere,  while  the  black  chasm  beside  the  madly  rushing 
horsemen  seemed  a  long,  narrow  pit  of  fathomless  gloom. 
Closer  and  closer  still  to  the  brink  sped  the  leader  and  his 
steed,  until  the  eye  could  look  into  the  blackness  below,  where 
Eos,  goddess  of  the  dawn,  will  never  swing  her  torch.  Close 
at  the  heels  of  the  rover  bounded  Alfonso,  leaping  rocks, 
sliding  down  declivities  where  the  steed  lost  his  foothold.  f>r 
the  instant,  only  to  plunge  to  his  feet  again  and  bound  wildly 
on.  The  leader  was  traversing  familiar  ground,  and  never 
tightened  rein.  The  rattling  hoofs  of  the  horses  passed  so 
close  at  times  to  the  edge  of  the  abyss  that  the  loose  stones 
were  struck  Vy  them  and  hurled  sidelong  into  the  gloomy  pit. 


IRENE.  35 

No  answering  sound  came  back  to  tell  of  their  having  reached 
the  bottom.  Suddenly  the  leader  disappeared  from  sight,  de 
scending  straight  downward  into  the  abyss,  a  large  mass  of 
rock  appearing  to  break  off  and  fall  beneath  him.  The  steed 
of  Alfonso  reared  on  the  very  brink  of  this  fatal  fracture,  and 
plunged  to  one  side,  thus  saving  his  rider  from  death.  The 
leader  and  his  steed  had  fallen  through  empty  space,  more 
than  two  hundred  feet,  on  to  the  rock  bottom  of  the  abyss,  and* 
lay  there,  a  crushed,  lifeless  mass.  The  frightened  horse  that 
bore  Alfonso  reared  and  plunged  again  and  again  to  unseat 
his  rider.  Failing  in  this,  he  took  revenge  by  running  away 
like  an  exasperated  demon.  All  control  over  him  was  lost  in 
stantly.  He  cleared  huge  rocks  in  single  bounds,  and  soon 
turned  again,  circling  round  once  more  towards  the  very  chasm 
of  the  Angel  of  Death.  With  his  horror-stricken  rider  clinging 
to  him,  he  cleared  the  chasm  at  a  single  leap,  and  dashing 
through  the  rocky  gorge  beyond,  followed  the  bed  of  the  pebbly 
stream  which  wandered  through  it,  until  he  reached  a  cliff  over 
hanging  a  ravine.  Down  this  he  plunged,  and  failing  thus  to 
unseat  his  rider,  held  on  his  pathless  way  amid  boulders  and 
fallen  rocks,  until  he  came  to  a  long  level  valley.  Ungoverna 
ble  still,  he  flew  like  a  frantic  tiger  in  a  long,  terrific  sweep, 
onward  and  still  onward,  the  wind  whistling  past  him,  until  he 
came  to  a  rude,  rocky  mountain  path.  Up  this  he  commenced 
to  bound,  Alfonso  now  lashing  him  with  his  whip,  and  urging 
him  to  greater  speed,  knowing  full  well  that  now  had  the  time 
arrived  to  reduce  him  to  eternal  control.  He  lashed  the 
frantic  brute  to  his  work,  with  every  energy  of  power  that  was 
left  in  his  sinewy  arm,  driving  the  stinging  spurs  into  him  at 
the  same  time,  until  they  dripped  and  dripped  again  with 
blood.  Upward,  and  still  upward,  he  goaded  the  proud,  beau 
tiful,  ungovernable  demon,  whose  frantic  limbs  still  cleared 
rocks,  leaped  ravines,  crushed  through  mountain  passes,  and 
scraped  their  marks  of  blood  upon  the  sloping  terraces  of  rock 
down  which  they  slid.  Blood  and  dust  were  now  fast  mingling 
with  the  foam  that  streaked  the  sides  of  the  proud  rebel  of 
Khorassan.  He  was  learning  the  indomitable  will  and  fear 
lessness  of  the  youth  who  clung  to  him  like  an  edict  of  destiny. 
His  strength  was  failing  him,  his  fire  of  rage  was  dying  out,  and 
still  upon  his  sensitive  sides  beat  and  beat  again  the  cruel 
spurs,  and  the  lash  of  the  whip  fell  incessantly  upon  his  back. 
A  level  and  open  spac6  appeared  before  his  inflamed  eyes,  and 
for  it  he  broke  away  with  his  lingering  remnant  of  impetuous 


36  IRENE. 

rage ;  but  the  spurs  galled  him  to  more  violent  speed.  He 
cleared  the  plateau,  bounded  through  a  short  pass  in  the  rocks, 
and  then  sank  upon  his  knees  in  helpless  submission  to  the 
indomitable  master  who  rode  him.  The  triumphant  Alfonso 
on  the  instant  leaped  to  the  ground,  raised  the  horse  to  his 
feet  again,  and  stood  beside  him  in  eternal  mastery. 

On  the  summit  of  the  mountain  selected  by  Zcnayi  as  the 
$goal  to  determine  his  military  merit  as  an  officer  of  cavalry, 
he  was  at  that  instant  standing.  He  had  followed  his  leader 
to  death.  Then  his  path  to  the  mountain  top  lay  over  ob 
stacles,  horrors,  and  dangers  such  as  no  sane  Persian  horse 
man  would  ever  attempt  while  the  world  revolves.  He  was 
there  at  last,  and  alone. 


CHAPTER   V. 

"  She  appeared  like  a  tunbeam  among  women,  and  her  hair  mat  like  tlte  wing  of 
tht  raven."  —  Otiian, 

IHE  clans  of  the  Bakhtiaris  were  gathering  for  battle. 
These  turbulent  wandering  bands  of  mounted  plunder 
ers,  enraged  at  the  detention  of  several  of  their  chiefs 
for  misconduct  at  Teheran,  the  capital  of  the  Empire, 
had  vowed  vengeance.  Their  fierce  but  skillful  horsemen  were 
ravaging  the  provinces  of  Fars,  Kerman,  and  Khorassan.  They 
had  even  been  seen  as  far  to  the  north-west  as  Koom,  bet\\\vn 
Teheran  and  Ispahan.  A  large  portion  of  the  Persian  army  had 
been  concentrated  near  the  capital  for  its  defence.  Another 
portion  had  been  dispatched  to  the  assistance  of  Ispahan,  the 
governor  of  which  city  had  become  alarmed,  closed  the  gates, 
and  was  taking  vigorous  measures  for  defence.  When  or  where 
the  blow  would  fall,  was  problematical.  Ispahan,  however,  was 
generally  deemed  to  be  most  in  jeopardy.  The  villages  at  the 
foot  of  the  Taurus  range  of  mountains  were  almost  entirely  de 
serted  by  their  inhabitants,  who  had  fled  to  the  walled  cities  for 
safety.  Houses,  gardens,  crops,  fruit,  everything  but  humanity, 
had  been  abandoned  to  the  exasperated  marauders.  The  sarkar- 
dah  or  colonel  of  horse  at  every  post  on'  the  line  of  the  rebels' 
expected  advance  received  orders  to  risk  no  battle  with  supe- 


IRENE.  37 

rior  numbers,  but  to  fall  back  before  them,  and  concentrate  at 
designated  points  .nearer  to  the  centre  of  the  Empire.  Vigilant 
and  sleepless  espionage  was  enjoined  upon  all  post-command 
ers  until  the  Persian  army  was  in  a  condition  to  take  the  offen 
sive.  No  remarkable  novelty  attached  to  the  insurrection  of 
these  fierce  desert  riders.  Such  outbursts  of  violence  had  been 
of  frequent  occurrence,  and.  had  been  always  suppressed  by 
the  superior  activity  and  discipline  of  the  army.  The  present 
emeute  derived  its  importance  from  the  rumors  that  other  no 
madic  tribes  of  the  Empire  were  in  sympathy  with  it. 

Pending  the  solution  of  this  military  problem,  the  leading 
personage  of  this  narrative,  riper  in  years  and  more  mature  in 
mental  accomplishments  than  when  he  tamed  the  spirit  of  the 
fierce  Kochlani  courser,  rises  into  prominence  amid  the  fiery 
Asiatics.  .......... 

On  the  road  from  Koorn  to  Kashan,  with  the  lofty  peaks  of 
the  Taurus  mountains  close  on  the  west,  and  a  gentle  rill-fur 
rowed  slope  of  emerald  grass  leading  down  to  picturesque  vil 
lages  on  the  east,  stood  the  caravansary  of  Shoor-Aub.  Partly 
hidden  in  the  gorge  of  a  narrow  rocky  valley  leading  into  the 
heart  of  the  mountains,  it  commanded  an  extensive  view  of  the 
broad  emerald  slope  in  front,  the  foliage -girdled  villages  on 
either  hand,  and  the  vast  desert  of  Khorassan  beyond.  Close 
to  its  eastern  front  rippled  a  stream  of  crystal  water  through 
the  grass,  and  parallel  with  the  stream  was  the  road  from  Koom 
to  Kashan.  A  traveller  to  or  from  either  town  would  not 
dream  of  finding  a  caravansary  until  it  burst  upon  his  view  upon 
looking  up  the  narrow  gorge. 

On  one  of  those  clear,  luminous  nightsf  when  an  Oriental 
moon  makes  every  landscape  a  paradise,  this  caravansary  and 
gorge  were  full  of  Persian  cavalry.  Their  spear-heads  twinkled 
like  stars  —  a  sea  of  stars,  so  densely  were  they  crowded  in  the 
defile.  Thousands  of  burnished  points  reflected  the  moon. 
Mars  and  Selene  blended  to  glorify  the  night.  The  dark-vis 
aged  Bakhtiaris  might  at  any  moment  dash  by.  Then  the 
paradise  would  become  an  Aceldama.  The  gorge  was  once 
defended  by  a  strongly-towered  castle,  whose  dark  ruins  rose  in 
heavy  but  majestic  masses  overhead.  The  reign  of  the  silent 
silver  queen  was  undisturbed  by  the  sounds  of  human  tumult. 
Her  luminous  light  glorified  all  things.  Even  the  gray  lizards, 
struggling  among  the  loose  stones  of  the  gorge,  were  glancing 
silver  under  the  moonlight.  Occasionally,  some  mounted  sol 
dier  would  turn  in  his  saddle,  till  his  whole  body  appeared  to 


38  IRENE. 

shiver  in  silver  glory.  It  was  only  his  burnished  coat-of-mail, 
whose  steel  rings  undulated  upon  him  like»a  vesture  of  soft 
silk.  The  high  range  of  mountains  were  crowoed  with  peculiar 
magnificence,  their  varied  heads  shooting  up  into  the  cloudless 
and  luminous  blue  of  the  vaulted  sky,  and  reflecting  the  moon's 
rays  on  their  summits  with  all  the  pearly  hue  and  lustre  only 
to  be  seen  in  Oriental  climes,  while  the  deepened  shadows  at 
their  base  gave  a  profounder  majesty  to  their  heaven-tinted 
brows.  Countless  little  streams  pouring  from,  the  mountains 
adown  the  grassy  slopes  toward  the  embowered  and  distant  vil 
lages  carried  their  molten  silver  treasures  to  enrich  the  soil. 

The  mountains  were  bare  rocks,  but  the  valleys  and  plains 
were  wildernesses  of  fragrant  shrubs,  flowers,  lofty  chindr  trees, 
thickly  set  *rows  of  cypresses,  and  wide  branching  cedars  min 
gling  with  pomegranate  and  mulberry  trees,  and  all  sleeping 
peacefully  under  the  spell  of  the  Oriental  Selene. 

Lights  were  glancing  from  the  windows  opening  into  the 
courtyards  of  the  flat-roofed  and  foliage -girt  dwellings  far  away 
at  the  foot  of  the  grassy  slope.  An  officer,  superbly  mounted, 
rode  out  through  the  gate  of  the  caravansary,  and  with  easy 
pace  crossed  the  bridge  over  the  little  stream,  descended  the 
gentle  slope,  and  entered  the  streets  of  the  village.  His  saddle 
cloth  was  scarlet,  with  a  silver  crescent  flashing  in  each  of  the 
lower  corners.  He  was  clad  in  glittering  mail  from  head  to 
foot,  and  his  sabre  rattled  at  his  side  as  he  rode.  A  black 
lambskin  cap  with  scarlet  crown  surmounted  his  head.  His 
bridle  was  covered  with  silver  bands,  and  scarlet  tassels  of  silk 
depended  at  each  side  of  the  horse's  bit.  He  was  an  officer  of 
the  royal  cavalry,  rtis  rank  ynzbashi  or  centurion,  commanding 
one  hundred  horse  He  had  risen  from  the  ranks  step  by  step. 
Sharp  fighting  at  Ferozabad,  Jarun,  and  Forg,  with  the  revolted 
subjects  of  the  Shah,  had  indicated  his  merit.  He  had  repeat 
edly  routed  four  times  his  number  of  men,  by  the  skill  and  im 
petuosity  of  his  charges.  The  fierce  Bakhtiaris  had  fled  before 
him  like  a  flock  of  galinazos  before  the  king  vulture  of  the 
Andes.  He  had  been  transferred  from  the  goolams  (an  im 
mense  corps  of  irregular  cavalry  deemed  competent  at  any  day 
to  compete  with  the  Cossacks)  to  a  body  of  twenty-five  hundred 
cavalry  which  constitute  the  Shah's  body-guard,  the  elite  of  the 
army.  The  officers  for  this  fine  corps  are  usually  selected  from 
the  sons  of  Khans  or  persons  of  other  distinction  in  the  Km- 
pire.  The  rule  had  been  violated  in  favor  of  this  young  ''  lord 
of  the  scimitar?"  through  the  influence  of  the  Prince  Royal  of 


IRENE.  39 

Persia,  to  whose  ear  a  certain  mysterious  character  named 
Zenayi  had  unaccountable  access.  That  a  priest  of  the  perse 
cuted  sect  of  the  Ghebres  should  be  allowed  to  offend  the  sight 
of  pious  Mohammedans  on  the  soil  of  Persia,  was  mysterious 
enough  to  Moullah  and  to  devotee.  But  when  this  white-robed 
representative  of  the  ancient  faith  was  welcomed  at  court,  and 
even  consulted  as  the  royal  astrologer,  orthodoxy  was  astounded. 
But  Abbas  Mirza,  the  heir-apparent  to  the  crown,  was  too 
thorough  a  statesman,  too  able  a  soldier,  and  too  thoroughly  a 
master  of  la  science  du  monde,  to  be  a  bigot  or  to  be  influ 
enced  by  one.  Hence  he  turned  a  friendly  ear  to  the 
learned  and  loyal  Ghebre,  and  his  gallant  young  protege  was  re 
tained  in  the  honorary  corps. 

As  the  young  yuzbashi  walked  his  horse  along  the  streets  of 
the  town,  he  was  struck  by  the  remarkable  stillness  of  the  place. 
Not  a  human  voice  was  heard.  No  sound  came  to  his  ear, 
save  the  occasional  yell  of  a  solitary  jackal  that  was  prowling 
near  the  village.  There  were  many  lights  burning,  as  he  could 
see  when  he  passed  the  arched  entrance  into  the  court-yards. 
Presently  his  horse's  hoof  struck  something  metallic.  He  bent 
low  from  his  saddle  to  examine  it.  The  light  from  a  court-yard 
whose  entrance-way  he  was  at  that  moment  passing,  revealed 
the  flash  of  silver.  It  was  a  goblet  of  the  precious  metal,  which 
had  fallen  in  the  street.  As  the  adjacent  house  apparently  be 
longed  to  a  Persian  of  the  upper  class,  he  dismounted,  secured 
the  prize,  and  then  led  his  horse  up  to  the  archway,  and  loudly 
clapped  with  his  hands  for  a  servant.  None  answered  his  sum 
mons.  He  repeated  the  call.  No  response.  Harpocrates  had 
assumed  dominion  over  the  town.  There  was  a  delicious 
aroma  of  roses  on  every  side,  and  the  moonbeams  sifted  noise 
lessly  through  the  luxuriant  foliage.  The  tinkling  of  water 
in  the  fountains  dipped  out  its  monotonous  melody,  and  a  blaze 
of  waxlights  poured  out  through  the  archway.  But  human 
sounds  there  were  mysteriously  hushed.  Some  enchantment  as 
potent  as  Viviane  wrought  about  Merlin  with  her  wimple,  held 
these  luxurious  rose-gardens  and  wax-lighted  avenues  silent  as 
death. 

After  a  moment  of  further  reflection,  he  secured  his  horse, 
and  passed  into  the  court-yard  through  the  arch.  The  marble 
fountains  were  flinging  diamond-like  drops  up  into  the  moon 
light,  and  the  odoriferous  shrubs  that  bordered  the  canals  of 
glistening  water  filled  the  air  with  voluptuous  fragrance.  But 
no  one  was  to  be  seen.  The  place  was  apparently  deserted. 


40  ARENE. 

He  passed  on  to  an  apartment,  whence  issued  a  pure,  brilliant 
light.  To  his  amazement,  it  was  a  banquet-hall,  illuminated 
for  a  sumptuous  entertainment,  with  every  luxury  spread  upon 
silver  trays  on  the  floor,  which  was  covered  with  a  superb  <  ar- 
pet  from  Khorassan.  The  great  variety  of  beautiful  porcelain 
bowls  and  dishes  upon  the  trays  were  filled  with  the  most 
savory  meats,  conserves,  sweet  cakes,  delicious  fruits,  both 
dried  and  fresh  ;  sherbet  of  orange,  and  pomegranate,  and  wil 
low  water  cooled  with  ice.  Where  were  the  guests,  and  where 
the  master  of  the  feast  ?  The  lower  parts  of  the  walls  of  this 
spacious  banquetting  hall  were  formed  of  fine  white  marble 
slabs,  painted  and  gilded  in  patterns  of  birds  and  flowers ; 
while  the  ceiling  and  walls  above  were  fashioned  in  delicate 
Arabesque  figures,  with  occasional  diamond-shaped  and  oval 
pieces  of  looking-glass  inserted  to  add  to  the  brilliant  effect. 
Twisted  columns  of  Melos  marble,  snowy  white,  with  golden 
spots,  raised  their  slender  shafts  to  the  arches  overhead.  Ex- 
quisite  shawls  of  the  fine  hair  of  the  goats  of  Kcrman  had  been 
spread  for  seats  for  the  Oriental  banqueters.  Through  the 
open  casements,  the  rose-trees  nodded  their  flowers  in  the  faint 
breeze,  and  the  soft  play  of  the  fountains  was  heard.  What 
Eastern  Hortensius  had1  spread  the  feast?  What  hospitable 
Eentulus  awaited  his  Flamen  Martialis?  No  guest  arrived. 
No  master  of  the  feast  appeared  ;  and  the  soft,  dreamy  atmos 
phere  of  the  Oriental  night  seemed  to  hush  itself  in  expectancy 
of  the  coming  revellers.  Were  the  guests  shod  in  wool,  that 
thus  their  coming  footsteps  might  harmonize  with  the  dream 
like  stillness  of  the  hour  ?  Was  it  not  all  a  dream  of  the  young 
soldier,  standing  in  amazement  within  the  banquet-hall,  still 
grasping  his  silver  goblet  ?  Were  these  peaceful  scenes  not  all 
false  dreams  sent  to  him  through  Virgil's  ivory  gate  ? 

Surprised  at  the  quiet  of  the  luxurious  abode,  he  entered  an 
adjoining  apartment,  where  the  lights  and  the  silence  appeared 
to  invite  him.  This,  too,  was  deserted.  Luxurious  divans 
were  against  the  frescoed  walls,  and  in  the  centre  of  the  white 
marble  floor  a  fountain  was  playing.  Here  were  evidences, 
however,  of  hasty  departure.  Female  apparel  was  scattered 
about  upon  the  divans  and  floor.  He  passed  to  other  rooms, 
and  found  additional  evidences  of  flight.  Everything  was  in 
confusion,  scattered,  out  of  place.  Disorder  reigned  in  what 
was  evidently  the  home  of  some  illustrious  Khan  of  the  Empire. 
He  explored  the  whole  house.  Every  soul  had  fled.  He 
realized  then  what  had  been  told  him  in  the  army.  The 


IRENE.  41 

Bakhtiaris  had  depopulated  towns  in  advance  of  their  march. 
This  village  must  have  been  panic-stricken  within  the  hour,  by 
the  same  rumors  of  the  enemy's  advance  that  had  halted  the 
royal  cavalry  that  night  in  the  mountain  gorge.  He  soon 
regained  the  street,  and  mounted  his  steed.  He  traversed  the 
village,  looking  in  at  the  various  entrances  to  the  paved  courts, 
and  found  that  his  conjecture  was  correct.  Fear  of  the  lawless 
marauders  had  driven  off  the  inhabitants  in  haste.  As  he 
stood  at  the  entrance  of  one  of  the  better  class  of  dwellings 
where  his  horse  was  fastened,  irresolute  whether  to  ride  further 
on  and  execute  the  orders  of  his  superior  officer  in  making  the 
desired  reconnaissance,  or  apprize  him  of  the  army  supplies 
which  might  at  once  be  secured  in  the  deserted  village,  he  was 
startled  by  a  hand  laid  suddenly  on  his  arm.  He  turned,  and 
beheld  a  vision  of  loveliness  which  thrilled  him.  A  Persian 
girl,  unveiled,  elegantly  arrayed  in  garments  indicating  her  con 
nection  with  some  family  of  wealth  and  distinction,  had  stolen 
noiselessly  up  to  him,  and  now  stood  in  her  helpless  loveliness, 
beseeching  his  protection.  She  had  entered  the  village,  so  her 
story  ran,  that  very  night  with  her  mother,  and  other  ladies 
belonging  to  the  anderoon  of  a  Khan  whose  name  was  well 
known  in  the  Empire.  They  were  escorted  by  a  powerful 
guard,  and  had  sought  the  village  for  shelter  until  morning, 
when  they  intended  to  resume  their  march  towards  Ispahan. 
In  the  confusion  attending  the  night  alarm  at  the  sudden 
approach  of  the  main  body  of  the  Bakhtiaris,  she  had  been 
separated  from  her  party  and  escort,  who  had  dashed  off 
toward  the  headquarters  of  the  main  body  of  the  Persian  army, 
leaving  her  entangled  in  the  mazes  of  a  strange  garden,  from 
which  she  could  not  extricate  herself  until  it  was  too  late. 
Fearing  then  to  join  the  terrified  groups  of  strange  men  who 
were  flying  away  to  a  place  of  safety,  she  had  concealed  her 
self  again  in  the  garden  until  the  villagers  had  all  departed. 
Hearing  the  tramp  of  a  solitary  horseman  in  the  streets,  she 
had  peeped  out  through  the  shrubbery,  and  recognized  with  joy 
the  uniform  of  the  Shah's  body-guard.  "  Would  the  officer  con 
duct  her  to  the  headquarters  of  his  commander,  where  her 
father's  name  would  be  recognized,  and  means  afforded  her  to 
regain  his  protection?" 

This  appeal  was  addressed  to  a  soldier,  beautiful  as  Hylas, 
and  she  knew  it,  looking  up  into  his  dark  eyes  with  undis 
guised  admiration,  and  that  implicit  confidence  which  the 
features  of  a  noble-souled  man  inspires.  The  young  officer 


42  IRENE. 

was  bewildered  by  her  beauty,  and  confused  by  her  appeal. 
Her  felicity  of  expression  indicated  culture  of  the  highest  order. 
Her  knowledge  of  the  positions  and  probable  movements  of 
the  different  corps  of  the  army  manifested  in  her  detail  of  the 
routes  by  which  she  expected  finally  to  regain  her  friends,  could 
only  have  been  acquired  in  the  family  of  some  officer  of  high 
military  rank.  Such  an  elevated  position  did  the  Khan  occupy, 
whom  she  designated  as  her  father.  In  her  ludicrous  account 
of  the  night  alarm  and  its  consequences,  she  had  evinced  her 
possession  of  a  gift  the  most  dazzling,  and  the  most  evanescent 
of  all  intellectual  gifts.  Entirely  ignorant  as  he  was  of  female 
coquetry,  and  an  enthusiastic  admirer  of  female  beauty,  the 
loveliness  of  this  young  and  high-born  Persian  girl  produced  a 
marked  impression  upon  his  susceptible  nature.  He  saw 
before  him  a  face  beaming  with  expression,  and  a  figure  fash 
ioned  in  the  most  perfect  symmetry  to  delight  a  sculptor. 
Tall  and  graceful,  with  a  complexion  of  most  exquisite  beauty, 
in  which  the  dash  of  Circassian  blood  from  her  mother  was 
plainly  visible,  she  stood  contemplating  him  with  admiration 
sparkling  in  her  large  dark  eyes.  The  transition  from  an 
existence  of  constraint,  study,  and  seclusion  to  the  excitements 
.of  a  border  warfare  had  been  sufficiently  stimulating  to  hi? 
ardent  temperament  to  arouse  all  the  enthusiasm  of  his  nature. 
But  now  in  the  hush  preceding  another  martial  conflict,  and 
with  the  seductive  influences  of  the  moonlight,  the  peaceful 
gardens,  and  the  soft  dreamy  atmosphere  of  the  Orient  lulling 
his  professional  activity  to  sleep,  he  was  assailed  by  a  tempta 
tion  and  an  excitement  before  which  the  illusion  of  military 
glory  faded  out,  and  was  forgotten.  His  vanity  was  flattered 
by  so  marked  evidences  of  his  power  over  the  feelings  of  a 
young  and  beautiful  daughter  of  one  of  the  most  elegant  and 
illustrious  nobles  of  the  Persian  court.  This  sentiment  was 
heightened  by  the  consciousness,  almost  electric,  that  she  was 
superior  intellectually  to  the  mass  of  unrivalled  beauties  who 
hide  their  loveliness  in  the  anderoons  of  the  wealthier  Khans. 
The  recollection  of  Zenayi's  words  of  warning  flashed  upon  him 
on  the  instant : 

"  Beware  the  matchless  loveliness  of  the  high-born  women  of 
my  country !  Yield  not  to  their  influence  until  you  have 
carved  a  high  name  for  yourself  with  your  sword.  Shun  them 
as  impediments  to  your  exalted  purpose  !  Aye  !  avoid  them 
as  the  Arab  sailor  avoids  the  demon-haunted  isle  of  Poelsetton. 
The  black  scorpion  of  Cashan  will  harm  you  less !  " 


IRENE.  43 

The  words  of  this  salutary  counsellor  seemed  enigmatical 
as  the  officer  contemplated  this  marvel  of  loveliness,  whose 
eyelashes  drooped  before  the  earnestness  of  his  gaze.  His 
senses  were  entranced.  The  urgency  of  his  military  duty,  the 
brief  time  he  had  to  perform  it,  and  the  possibility  that  delay 
might  isolate  him  altogether  from  his  command,  all  fell  into 
oblivion.  He  heard  nothing,  saw  nothing  but  the  immaculate 
loveliness  that  had  so  abruptly  and  so  wonderfully  chained  his 
imagination  and  his  senses.  He  wandered  away  with  her 
through  the  gardens,  unconscious  where  his  steps  led  him, 
strolling  on  and  still  on,  and  watching  the  stars  which  from  time 
to  time  peeped  through  the  foliage  as  it  swayed  gently  beneath 
the  voluptuous  breeze  of  the  dreamy  night,  and  listening  to  the 
musical  murmur  beside  him,  which  was  narrating  her  girl's  life, 
hopes,  and  ideas.  They  were  mutually  enthralled  in  each 
other's  perfections.  The  novelty  of  unrestrained  intercourse  in 
,  that  land  of  female  isolation  was  rising  upon  them  like  the 
charming  hallucinations  of  a  dream.  The  accident  of  war  had 
emancipated  the  high-born  maid  from  the  supervision  of  watch 
ful  eunuchs.  Such  an  opportunity  for  unbounded  freedom 
might  not  occur  again  in  a  lifetime.  To  look  upon  a  hand 
some,  manly  face  was  no  novelty  to  the  inmate  of  a  harem. 
To  peep  through  lattices,  to  study  the  busy  scenes  of  human 
life  and  traffic,  to  frequent  the  bazaars  and  streets,  are  privileges 
of  every-day  occurrence  to  the  Oriental  maid.  But  converse 
with  strange  men,  the  casting  off  the  eternal  veil,  the  triumph 
of  being  contemplated  as  well  as  of  contemplating,  are  novelties 
as  rare  as  comets.  This  exquisite  daughter  of  Eve  had  flung 
aside  her  veil  at  the  first  realization  that  she  was  indeed  free, 
and  had  wandered  through  the  marble-paved  courts  and  luxu 
riant  rose-gardens  with  a  sense  of  exultation  which  her  knowl 
edge  of  her  danger  could  not  wholly  quell.  And  now  she  was 
listening  to  a  voice  all  harmony,  which  had  not  been  forced 
upon  her  girlish  life  by  paternal  authority.  She  was  realizing 
the  poetic  tales  of  Ferdusi,  Hafiz,  and  Sadi,  that  there  were 
companionships  voluntary,  congenialities  arising  from  one's  own 
perceptions  of  the  beautiful  and  the  noble,  which  filled  the  heart 
and  the  understanding  with  infinite  enjoyment,  far  beyond  those 
established  by  the  dictates  of  parents  and  kings.  And  the  mail- 
clad  soldier  who  walked  beside  her  in  a  dream,  knew  that  his 
life  mi^ht  at  any  moment  pay  the  forfeit  of  his  temerity  in 
conversing  with  an  unveiled  daughter  of  a  proud  Khan  of  the 
Empire. 


44  IRENE. 

But  the  sweet  witchery  of  the  night,  the  adventure,  and  the 
presence  was  upon  each ;  and  for  an  hour  they  ceased  to  remem 
ber  duty,  fear,  the  world,  and  might  for  another  hour,  have  wan 
dered  on  and  on,  had  not  a  fearful  interruption  dispelled  the  dream 
and  resuscitated  thought.  The  dazzling  flash  of  fire-arms,  dis 
charged  in  rapid  succession,  notified  the  soldier  that  the  enemy 
had  come.  Then  the  clear,  ringing  notes  of  a  bugle  sounded 
the  charge.  The  Bakhtiaris  had  been  surprised  as  they  reached 
the  mountain  gorge.  A  column  of  disciplined  cavalry  had 
severed  their  dense  rnass  of  desert  riders  and  the  work  of  death 
was  going  on.  The  young  and  thoughtless  yuzbashi  was  cut 
off  from  his  command. 

Hurriedly  secreting  the  Khan's  daughter  in  the  dense  foliage 
of  the  garden,  and  promising  to  return,  he  sought  his  steed, 
mounted,  and  was  off.  Riding  like  the  wind  up  the  slope  to 
wards  the  mountains,  he  was  soon  engaged  in  the  thickest  of 
the  fight. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

|NE  of  the  brilliant  "Princes  de  la  ptnsee"  sat  by  the 
couch  of  pain.  The  great,  the  mysterious,  the  tender 
Zenayi  watched  like  a  mother  the  form  of  his  prostrate 
idol.  The  turbulent  storm  of  sedition  had  subsided, 
but  had  left  that  wreck  of  the  Ghebre's  hopes.  The  lance 
wounds  of  the  Bakhtiaris  were  many  and  deep.  The  desert 
riders  had  hurled  to  the  earth  a  soldier  gifted  with  a  happy 
genius  for  command.  Entangled  in  their  routed  and  flying 
squadrons,  he  had  maintained  a  gallant  fight  with  superior  num 
bers,  until,  borne  to  the  earth,  he  was  found  by  his  own  soldiers, 
severely  wounded,  and  insensible.  That  he  had  neglected  his 
duty  as  a  scout,  was  known  to  one  only  besides  himself.  There 
was  little  danger  that  she  would  reveal  his  delay  in  the  deserted 
village.  Her  own  fate  was  still  a  mystery.  But  for  her,  for 
himself,  for  the  army,  he  had  thus  far  had  no  opportunity  for 
thought  His  insensibility  had  resulted  in  delirium.  His  situ 
ation  had  long  been  deemed  devoid  of  hope  by  the  army  sur 
geon.  One  alone  pronounced  in  favor  of  his  recovery.  That 
almost  celestial  intelligence,  which  never  seemed  to  err,  was  on 
the  side  of  hope.  Zenayi,  whose  medical  discrimination  was 


IRENE.  45 

proverbial,  who  comprehended  surgery  as  thoroughly  as  he 
comprehended  every  science,  declared  that  the  young  officer 
would  be  on  his  feet  again.  His  only  apprehension  was  that 
he  might  for  a  long  period  remain  weak  and  sickly  after  his 
wounds  were  healed.  The  army  surgeon  was  awed  at  the 
Ghebre's  comprehension  of  the  case.  Did  that  mysterious 
being  possess  the  power  of  penetrating  the  veil  of  the  flesh  and 
reading  the  secrets  which  were  hid  from  human  vision  ?  He 
questioned  the  Ghebre  upon  the  anatomy  of  man,  and  the 
proper  remedies  to  be  applied  and  operations  to  be  performed 
in  difficult  cases  of  gun-shot  wounds,  and  lance  thrusts,  and 
sabre  cuts.  The  responses  were  clear  and  satisfactory.  The 
man  knew  everything.  The  surgeon  had  heard  this  extraordin 
ary  rumor  of  his  knowledge  before.  Now  he  knew,  at  least, 
that  Zenayi  was  a  surgeon. 

But  hopeful  as  the  astrologer  was  of  Alfonso's  ultimate  re 
covery,  he  could  not  conceal  the  yearning  tenderness  of  his 
heart  for  the  helpless  young  officer  before  him.  He  knelt  be 
side  him,  and  with  his  arm  about  his  neck,  murmured  to  the 
delirious  soldier  in  touching  accents  : 

"  My  beautiful  and  noble  hero  :  my  heart  goes  forth  to  you 
in  your  suffering.  The  heart  of  the  old  man  mourns  for  you 
as  if  you  were  my  own  child.  Kindred  I  have  none.  Hopes 
I  have  none,  save  of  you  and  Persia.  The  two  are  my  life. 
The  two  must  never  be  severed  from  each  other  or  from  me. 
In  my  old  age,  boy,  my  heart  clings  to  you.  When  shall  those 
beautiful  eyes  shine  clear  to  me  again  ?  They  have  softened 
again  and  again  in  love  and  kindness  for  the  old  man,  and  his 
very  soul  looks  out  for  those  love-tokens  again.  Speak  to  me 
once  more,  boy,  as  you  spoke  when  the  fierce  courser  was  de 
livered  at  my  cave,  tamed  and  submissive.  Let  me  look  once 
more  upon  the  eyes  whigh  blaze  for  glory  and  for  Persia.  Ha ! 
the  delirium  is  gone." 

The  young  officer  opened  his  eyes  upon  his  benefactor,  and 
like  one  arousing  from  a  dream,  said  faintly  : 

"  Tell  me,  Zenayi,  why  am  I  here  ?  What  have  I  done  ? 
Where  am  I  ?  What  i^eans  this  dizziness,  this  pain  ?  " 

"You  ask  many  questions,  Alfonso.  This  is  my  answer: 
you  are  in  your  hospital  wounded  sore.  The  Bakhtiaris  are 
routed,  and  you  are  covered  with  glory." 

"  Will  I  recover  ?  " 

"  Yes,  by  long-continued  pat:ence  and  repose." 


46  IRENE. 

"  But  I  came  late  into  the  battle,"  he  said,  the  memory  of 
his  dereliction  of  duty  pressing  painfully  upon  him. 

"  That,"  responded  the  Ghebre,  "  is  the  very  cause  of  your 
distinction.  They  informed  your  commander  that  the  enemy 
advanced  in  a  direction  totally  unexpected,  whereby  you  were 
misled,  and  rode  on  far  towards  the  desert  of  Khorassan.  Re 
turning  from  your  futile  expedition,  you  encountered  the  enemy 
in  full  retreat,  and  exposing  yourself  with  the  reckless  impetu 
osity  of  the  Athenian  Chabrias  to  overwhelming  numbers,  you, 
single-handed,  slew  four  of  the  enemy,  and  among  them,  fortu 
nately,  the  chief  of  the  Bakhtiaris.  You  can  claim  the  reward 
offered  for  his  head,  and  your  promotion  is  beyond  question." 

A  flush  of  pride  mounted  to  the  cheek  of  the  invalid ;  his 
eye  lighted  up  with  the  old  fire.  The  Parcae  had  woven,  from 
the  threads  of  his  neglect  and  absorption  in  the  village,  a  for 
tunate  web  for  his  fame.  His  arrival  upon  the  battle-field  so 
late  had  afforded  him  the  opportunity  of  encountering  hand  to 
hand  the  rebel  chief.  The  latter  had  fallen.  This  good  for 
tune  needed  confirmation,  and  he  anxiously  inquired : 

"  Do  you  know  this,  Zenayi  ?  " 

"  I  do  know  it,  Alfonso.  I  have  your  new  commission  in  my 
own  keeping.  It  is  signed  by  the  Prince  Royal." 

"  What  is  my  grade  ?  "  he  asked  faintly. 

"  You  are  sarkardah,  and  draw  one  thousand  tumdns  a  year 
for  your  pay." 

A  thrill  of  delight  warmed  the  blood  of  the  poor  invalid 

"O  Zenayi!"  he  exclaimed,  "you  have  done  this.  My 
benefactor,  my  friend,  my  only  father  !  " 

"  You  were  never  so  much  mistaken  in  your  life,"  replied  the 
Ghebre.  "The  intelligence  of  your  splendid  conduct  and  your 
destruction  of  the  rebel  chief  was  carried  to  the  Shah  himself 
by  your  commander.  Abbas  Mirza  notified  me  that  you  had 
been  promoted  by  command  of  his  royal  father." 

How  wildly  throbbed  the  heart  of  the  emaciated  sufferer.  A 
full  colonel  of  horse  in  the  royal  army  I  The  dreams  of  the 
boy,  the  aspirations  of  the  young  man,  might  now  be  realized. 
He  was  prominent  now  before  the  army.  Aye  !  more,  he  had 
attracted  the  notice  of  the  mighty  and  absolute  potentate  who 
held  the  sceptre  of  Persia.  It  was  not  his  friend,  the  Ghebre, 
this  time,  but  his  fortune  and  impetuous  daring,  that  had  sin 
gled  him  out  for  honor.  He  contemplated  the  dark,  myster 
ious  eyes  that  watched  his  emotion.  He  saw  that  they  were 
full  of  joy  at  his  good  fortune. 


IRENE.  47 

"  My  father ;  my  father !  I  owe  all  to  you.  Education,  Horse 
manship,  and  my  first  promotions  were  your  gifts  ;  they  were 
the  foundation.  To  you,  therefore,  my  heart  ascribes  all  that 
has  been,  all  that  shall  be  erected  thereon." 

The  eyes  of  the  Ghebre  beamed  with  tenderness  for  the  young 
soldier  who  had  so  tightly  wound  himself  about  his  aged  heart. 
Then  he  uttered  an  exclamation  of  distress.  The  young  sar- 
kardah  had  fainted  away. 

Upon  the  shoulders  of  Zenayi  the  mantle  of  Melampus  had 
surely  fallen.  Every  prediction  regarding  the  recovery  of  the 
young  officer  proved  true.  His  apprehension  that  when  Alfonso 
should  be  able  to  walk,  great  and  prolonged  debility  would  re 
turn  to  him  at  intervals,  was  also  verified.  When  dread  Azrael 
spread  his  dusky  wings  and  fled  from  the  sick  couch,  the  astrol 
oger-raised  his  eyes  in  gratitude  to  Ormuzd,  the  god  of  the 
Ghebre.  Then  bending  his  entire  energies  to  the  work  of  res 
toration,  he  watched  patiently  beside  his  wounded  friend,  ap 
plying  every  remedy  which  experience  and  profound  study  had 
familiarized  him  with  in  the  medical  art.  What  self-sacrifice 
and  assiduity  could  the  patriot  priest  withhold  from  the  gallant 
soldier  who  had  sacrifice!  all  for  Persia.  With  the  unhesitating 
heroism  of  the  Theban  Mencekeus,  had  the  young  officer  pre 
sented  himself  singly  to  death.  In  recompense  of  this  abnega 
tion  of  self,  that  marvellous  intellectual  sphinx,  who  blended  in 
himself  the  medical  genius  of  Paracelsus,  Hippocrates,  and 
Galen,  devoted  all  the  fertile  resources  of  his  cultured  brain  to 
the  revival  of  the  exhausted  and  lingering  humanity  before  him. 
Familiar  with  the  habitat  and  properties  of  every  healing  plant, 
he  administered  decoctions  of  desert  herbs,  which  amazed  the 
attendant  surgeon  of  the  corps.  This  admirable  healer  gently 
but  gradually  supplanted  the  surgeon,  and  assumed  into  his 
own  hands  the  treatment  of  the  convalescent.  "Are  you 
Allah  or  deev"  exclaimed  the  official,  "that  you  comprehend 
all  science  and  the  essences  of  matter  ! " 

"  Study,  profound  study,  honest  Malek,  and  a  vigilant  ob 
servation  of  nature,  compress  great  and  varied  knowledge 
into  the  space  of  a  human  life.  I  am  old,  and  I  have  studied 
much." 

So  modestly  and  gently  came  this  response  from  the  Ghebre, 
that  the  charmed  surgeon  was  emboldened  to  continue,  — 

"  But  the  memory  of  man,  Zenayi,  shirks  the  greater  portion 
of  its  burden.  Else  might  we  all  attain  to  heights  of  knowledge 


48  IRENE. 

near  to  Allah's  realm.  We  cannot  all  claim  a  memory  like 
yours." 

"  Tis  true,  Malek,"  responded  the  Ghebre,  "  'tis  true.  Mem 
ory  is  the  golden  key  to  kr  rledge."  Then  looking  full  in  the 
eyes  of  the  surgeon,  he  added  solemnly  :  "  Pray  to  the  incom 
prehensible  Ruler  of  all  things,  that  you  may  never  remember 
as  Zenayi  remembers" 

The  deep,  sonorous  termination  of  his  sentence  boomed 
like  a  distant  bell  in  a  far-off  cavern.  It  seemed  as  if  the  ever- 
receding  and  dying  echoes  of  that  cadence  would  never  cease. 
The  surgeon  started  at  the  sound,  and  in  the  mysterious  eyes 
of  the  savant  saw  a  far-off  light,  a  mysterious  something  that 
awed  him  with  a  sense  of  immensity,  a  profound,  ever-receding 
grandeur.  And  then  he  fell  a-dreaming  of  his  own  earliest  con 
sciousness,  and  forgot  all  present  objects  in  his  reverie.  Such 
was  the  power  of  Zenayi  s  look. 

As  the  physical  strength  and  natural  elasticity  of  spirits  grad 
ually  returned  to  Alfonso,  he  began  to  realize  the  material  par 
adise  in  which  he  was  sheltered.  Slowly  upon  his  awakening 
senses  came  the  odor  of  flowers,  the  rippling  of  waters,  the 
distant  murmurs  of  music ;  occasionally  he  caught  the  merri 
ment  of  laughter,  the  inspiration  of  song,  and  the  exquisitely 
modulated  voice  of  women  in  badinage.  To  each  and  every 
question  he  propounded  to  the  sable  eunuch  who  watched  beside 
him  after  Zenayi  had  departed  for  his  cave,  he  received  the  sin 
gle  response,  "  Negauristan."  The  impenetrable  mysfrjy  of 
the  slave  regarding  the  locality  and  the  ownership  of  tue' sum 
mer  palace  which  was  his  hospital  gave  out  to  his  curiosity  this 
single  key.  That  it  was  a  palace  or  the  abode  of  a  powerful 
Khan  of  the  Empire,  the  officer  surmised  from  the  elegance  of 
the  "  mother-of-pearl "  ceiling  above  him,  the  frescoed  walls 
about  him,  and  the  silken  draperies  of  his  couch.  With  his  re 
turning  strength  and  appetite,  came  also  presents  from  some 
unknown  hand  of  every  luxury  that  the  climate  afforded.  No 
sooner  had  one  delicate  meat  or  fruit  become  familiar  to  his 
taste,  than  it  was  replaced  by  some  new  and  equally  palatable 
luxury.  He  pondered,  long  and  frequently  upon  that  mystic 
appellation,  "  Negauristan."  It  was  an  occult  and  novel  region 
of  the  Empire  to  him.  He  could  not  make  it  out. 

One  day  his  attendant  bathed  the  invalid  carefully,  clothed 
him  in  soft,  delicate  textures  of  white,  threw  about  him  a  robe 
of  golden-hued  silk  trimmed  with  white  Siberian  fur,  ar-d  plac 
ing  yellow  morocco  slippers  upon  his  feet,  carried  him  in  his  anus 


IRENE.  49 

to  another  apartment.  Here  he  was  seated  upon  a  divan  of 
pearl-colored  silk,  between  enormous  pillows  of  the  same  deli 
cate  hue,  and  directed  to  look  through  the  open  gold-cased 
window  upon  the  scene  below.  He  believed  for  an  instant 
that  he  revelled  in  an  Oriental  dream. 

Far  away  before  him,  in  successive  terraces,  stretched  down 
ward  voluptuous  and  varied  gardens  of  oriental  plants  and 
flowers,  pavilions,  fountains,  and  lakes ;  rose-trees,  shade-trees, 
glistening  canals,  and  water-falls.  The  Pisa  gardens  of  Cosmo 
de  Medici,  the  botanic  paradises  of  Alfonso  d'Este,  and  the 
sumptuous  terraces  of  Breslau,  sank  into  insignificance  before 
the  voluptuous  Eden  here  presented  at  a  single  coup  tfceil. 
The  great  Semiramis  herself  was  eclipsed  upon  her  own  soil. 
Her  Bagistan  was  but  a  single  terrace  beside  this  luxurious 
dream.  The  atmosphere  was  laden  with  the  perfume  of  count 
less  roses  and  lilacs,  which  gently  undulated  above  the  cuts  of 
clear  and  sparkling  water.  The  trees  were  full  grown  and  lux 
uriant  in  foliage,  their  lofty  stems  nearly  covered  by  a  rich  un 
derwood  of  roses  and  aromatic  shurbs.  A  Kooleh  Frangy  or 
temple  appeared  at  intervals  between  the  spacious  arcades  of 
trees,  and  from  an  artificial  cliff  a  sheet  of  white  roses  was 
trained  to  fall  downward  like  a  cascade,  fragrant  and  white  as 
the  celestial  waters  of  al  CawtJiar,  the  river  of  Paradise.  Springs 
were  gushing  bright  from  their  native  rock,  and  sparkling  in  the 
ardent  glances  of  the  sun,  and  over  the  delicious  vistas  and 
flower-enamelled  lawns  a  soft  glamour  seemed  to  hover,  born 
of  the  golden  light  and  the  rich  coloring  of  the  flowers.  From 
the  emerald  clusters  of  luxuriant  plants  the  sheen  of  sculptured 
marbles  peeped.  The  Persian  Shireen  timidly  looked  forth  from 
her  pedestal. 

"  She  lives  in  stone,  and  fills 
The  air  with  beauty." 

The  precepts  of  the  Koran  were  forgotten  in  this  sensuous 
retreat,  and  the  images  of  "  the  infidel "  had  found  a  lodgment 
here.  Beside  the  grand  avenue  stood  the  Venus  of  Melos,  with 
her  ideal  beauty,  and  her  conquering  arms  outstretched  to 
Mars.  Here,  too,  was  Ferhaud,  the  sculptor,  for  whom  in  the 
olden  time  the  lovely  Shireen  drooped  her  head,  and  died. 
The  Persian  Sapor  here  led  captive  the  Emperor  Valerian  ;  and 
near  them,  in  a  mass  of  roses,  was  the  reclining  Cleopatra  in 
the  repose  of  death,  a  statue  immortali/ed  by  Castiglione. 

The  view  beyond  the  vast  garden  was  intercepted  by  the 
chain  of  the  Elbrooz  mountains,  whose  dim  outline  was  marked 


5O  IRENE. 

in  tints  of  chalky  purple ;  and  beyond  them  loomed  in  solitary 
grandeur  the  loftier  peak  of  Demewand,  clad  in  eternal  snows. 
Near  to  the  summer  pavilion  where  the  invalid  was  seated,  and 
girt  with  shrubs  of  white-blossomed  rosaceae,  crown  imperials, 
tulips  and  red-flowering  amygdaleae,  stood  a  white  marble  imita 
tion  of  the  graceful  and  exquisite  Choragic  monument  of  Lysi- 
crates.  On  the  same  luxuriant  terrace,  in  happy  unison  with 
this  terrestrial  paradise,  stood  the  "  golden-haired  "  Rhadaman- 
thus,  "  sovereign  judge  on  the  Elysian  plain."  Here  the  grace 
ful  Tyro,  enamoured  of  her  river,  gazed  into  a  flower-girt 
stream ;  and  under  an  arched  trellis  of  roses  knelt  the  doctor 
"  en  gaye  science, "  to  receive  the  violet  of  gold  from  the  mar 
ble  hand  of  Clementina  Isaure,  Countess  of  Toulouse. 

Entranced  by  the  exquisite  vision  of  this  varied  and  far-reach 
ing  loveliness,  rivalling  the  gardens  of  the  Fairy  Morgana  be 
neath  the  Italian  lake,  the  invalid  soldier  inhaled  the  delicate 
perfumes,  and  in  the  vivifying  light  of  the  sun  felt  a  dreamy 
languor  stealing  over  his  senses.  His  ear  was  enchanted  by  the 
wild  and  beautiful  notes  of  countless  nightingales  in  close  prox 
imity  to  their  beloved  roses,  and  in  the  lull  of  the  summer  noon 
he  sat  in  sensuous  absorption  amid  the  arborescent  plants,  ex 
haling  their  sweetness  upon  the  dreaming  air.  Familiar  only 
with  the  stretch  of  grassy  vales,  or  sunburned  desert  wilds  where 
his  courser  spurned  the  sands  too  often  glistening  like  myriad 
daggers  in  the  ardent  sun,  this  soothing  vision  of  Elysium  and 
peace  came  to  him  like  a  new  creation.  To  his  insatiable  long 
ing  after  power  and  glory  was  being  added  rapidly  a  new  am 
bition,  Wealth.  Why  might  not  he  attain  such  heights  of  sensu 
ous  bliss  as  the  master  of  this  paradise  ?  Who  was  its  master  ? 
Who  had  the  means,  the  taste,  the  far-reaching  liberality  of 
sentiment  and  wisdom,  to  cull  the  masterpieces  of  foreign  lands, 
and  in  violation  of  the  precepts  of  his  religious  faith  make  them 
part  of  the  treasures  of  luxurious  Persia  ?  The  capacious  intel 
lect  and  the  unbounded  liberality  which  planned  this  voluptuous 
seclusion,  where  the  masterpieces  of  art  might  be  enshrined, 
could  belong  to  no  common  Khan  of  the  Empire.  The  fabu 
lous  wealth  employed  must  rival  that  of  Kartin.  The  propri 
etor  was  a  consummate  master  of  effect,  whoever  he  might  be. 
Symmetry,  fitness,  harmony,  reigned  supreme  in  all  the  volup 
tuous  appointments  of  this  spacious,  dream-like  charbagh. 

For  an  instant  he  surmised  that  Zenayi  himself  was  master  of 
the  place.  He  had  learned  from  his  years  of  study  and  tuition 
under  this  extraordinary  scholar,  that  the  owner  of  the  hermit's 


IRENE.  5 1 

cave  was  a  power  in  Persia.  Might  not  his  influence  at  the 
court  have  conduced  to  his  pecuniary  success  ?  This  conjec 
ture  was  at  once  abandoned.  The  astrologer  had  informed  his 
pupil  again  and  again  that  he  owned  not  one  foot  of  land  on 
the  surface  of  Persia.  The  Shah  had  confirmed  his  claim  to 
the  cavern,  which  had  belonged  to  his  father,  the  astrologer,  be 
fore  him.  Who,  then,  was  the  gifted  master  of  this  lovely  realm 
of  taste  and  beauty  ?  He  turned  for  the  first  time  to  study  the 
apartment  in  which  he  was  seated.  Curtains  of  rose-colored 
silk,  with  under  curtains  of  lace,  adorned  the  windows.  These 
flung  upon  his  pale  face  a  delicate  shade  of  light,  and  softened 
the  effect  of  his  manly  beauty.  He  was  closely  shaven,  only  his 
black  military  moustache  being  suffered  to  grow.  His  dark  eyes 
roved  now  over  the  apartment,  in  examination  of  its  furniture 
and  appointments.  The  softest  velvet  carpet  of  blue  and  pearl 
covered  the  floor.  The  divans,  with  their  pillows,  were  all  of  the 
same  delicate  shade  of  silk  as  the  one  upon  which  he  sat.  His 
attendant,  while  he  had  been  engrossed  with  the  landscape  with 
out,  had  noiselessly  covered  the  entire  carpet  with  fresh  pink 
rosebuds,  until  its  patterns  were  nearly  obscured.  The  apart 
ment  was  octagonal,  and  on  each  wall  was  painted  a  medal 
lion  portrait.  Here  again  was  the  Koran  ignored.  The  ceiling, 
the  walls,  and  the  window-casings  were  of  white  Elbrooz  mar 
ble,  upon  which  birds  and  flowers  had  been  inlaid  in  gold. 
Opposite  to  where  he  sat  a  Saracenic  arch  opened  a  view  to 
the  "court  of  the  bath,"  a  luxurious  circular  saloon  open  to  the 
skies  above,  with  a  snow-white  marble  basin  in  the  centre  of 
the  floor,  full  sixty  feet  in  diameter,  and  full  of  crystal  water, 
sparkling  in  the  sun.  Rose-trees  and  fragrant  flower-bearing 
shrubs,  nodded  around  its  brink,  their  shadows  quivering  at 
times  over  the  bright  water,  which  was  freshened  every  instant 
by  a  flowing  spring. 

At  the  sight  of  the  medallion  portraits,  executed  with  the  force 
and  delicacy  of  Isabey,  the  young  sarkardah  started  from  his 
luxurious  attitude.  They  were  family  likenesses,  a  race  of  sov 
ereigns.  He  knew  several  of  the  faces  well,  so  frequently  had 
he  seen  common  copies  of  them  in  possession  of  Mohammedan 
shopkeepers,  who  for  lucre  bartered  away  the  principles  of  their 
prophet.  He  was  filled  with  awe  at  his  situation, —  the  terrible 
realization  which  burst  upon  him  instantly.  He  was  in  a  royal 
palace,  and  before  his  astonished  eyes  was  the  image  of  its  mas 
ter.  There  was  the  likeness  of  the  dread  potentate  Futteh  AH 
Shah,  the  man  whose  word  was  law,  whose  will  gave  life  or  death 


52  IRENE. 

to  the  subject.  He  was  the  guest  of  the  sovereign,  who  could 
make  or  unmake  his  military  fortune  by  a  word.  U'omler,  a\\c, 
hope,  darted  in  succession  through  the  brain  of  the  young  offi 
cer  of  cavalry.  He  scanned  every  lineament  of  that  pale  face 
for  an  idea  of  his  character.  He  noted  the  habitual  expn 
of  languor  given  him  by  the  artist ;  the  perfectly  formed,  dark, 
beaming  eyes,  and  the  jet-black  ample  beard  which  tapered  to 
a  point  below  the  hilt  of  his  jewelled  dagger  in  his  waist-belt. 
His  robe  was  of  fine  gold  brocade,  with  a  deep  cape  of  dark 
sables  falling  on  his  shoulders.  Eminently  kingly  was  the  mini 
of  the  sovereign  of  Persia.  The  sarkardah  had  attained  his 
present  rank  in  the  royal  army  by  the  direct  interposition  of 
his  sovereign.  Doubtless  the  Shah  had  acted  in  the  matter 
solely  upon  the  recommendation  of  Alfonso's  superior.  But  the 
ambitious  young  officer  could  not  divest  himself  of  the  idea,  that 
once  having  been  forced  upon  the  attention  of  the  Shah  as  a 
soldier  deserving  of  promotion,  he  might,  by  securing  a  per 
sonal  interview  with  his  sovereign,  so  impress  him  that  his  sub 
sequent  promotions  would  be  of  easy  accomplishment.  This 
anticipation  was  not  without  reasonable  foundation,  inasmuch 
as  he  actually  belonged  to  Futteh  Ali  Shah's  honorary  body 
guard,  and  might  at  any  moment  be  detailed  for  service  about 
his  immediate  person.  Thus  far  the  exigencies  of  war  had 
withdrawn  a  portion  of  the  body-guard  from  the  neighborhood 
of  the  capital,  and  Alfonso  had  never  yet  looked  upon  the 
countenance  of  his  sovereign.  He  could  not  look  forward, 
therefore,  to  his  entrance  into  the  camp  at  Teheran  without 
an  eager  hope  of  attracting  the  Shah's  notice  by  his  superior 
military  conduct.  Thanks  to  the  incessant  schooling  and  ad 
monitions  of  Zenayi,  he  had  become  a  thorough  disciplinarian. 
His  command  of  one  hundred  men  was,  by  the  testimony  ol 
the  astrologer,  the  best-drilled  body  in  the  army,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  the  artillery,  which  was  under  the  supervision  of 
British  officers  detailed  for  this  service  by  their  government. 
What,  then,  might  not  be  expected  from  the  Shall' s  favor  by  an 
ambitious  officer,  who  was  now  in  a  position  to  introduce  that 
same  superior  discipline  into  an  entire  regiment.  His  own  un- 
military  conduct  had  been  overlooked,  and  his  neglect  of  duty 
had  strangely  enough  resulted  to  his  advantage.  And  now 
what  might  not  be  expected  from  a  sovereign  who  had  gone  to 
the  amazing  length  of  making  a  wounded  officer  the  inmate  of 
his  royal  palace  ? 

In  the  midst  of  such  startling  good  fortune,  and  the  wild 


IRENE.  53 

dreams  it  suggested,  the  young  sarkardah  was  amazed  to  see 
a  white  ball  fly  through  the  window  and  alight  directly  in  his 
lap. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

(MAZED  at  the  precision  and  suddenness  with  which 
the  white  projectile  had  been  flung  into  his,  lap,  the 
sarkardah  looked  up  through  his  window  at  a  long 
stretch  of  lattice  work,  which  covered  the  entire  side 
of  a  wing  of  the  palace.  A  short  slide  in  the  lattice  was  open, 
revealing  a  face  beautiful  as  v£gle,  mother  of  the  Graces.  In 
stantly  the  face  vanished  and  the  slide  closed.  The  audacity 
of  this  exposure  was  only  equalled  by  the  skill  with  which  the 
missile  had  been  projected.  The  attendant  eunuch  was  busy 
about  his  apartment,  and  failed  to  detect  this  female  manoeuvre. 
The  officer  unwound  the  white  ball  and  found  it  to  be  a  delicate 
handkerchief,  redolent  of  rich  perfumes.  It  was  loaded  with  a 
large  Budukshan  ruby  to  aid  its  flight.  A  note  was  enclosed, 
traced  in  the  delicate  characters  of  the  Persian  language,  and  in 
the  most  graceful  female  chirography.  He  read  with  amaze 
ment,  not  unmixed  with  pleasure,  these  lines  : 

"  Ha !  ha  !  my  young  Abou  Hassan,  caliph  for  a  day.  How 
grand  you  are  in  your  new  state  !  And  so  luxurious,  too  !  Who 
would  have  dreamed  this  of  the  soldier  who  was  bent  on  glory 
alone  ?  Your  senses  were  to  be  iron-clad,  you  said,  until  you 
had  gained  eminence  in  war.  '  Abstemious  at  the  banquet, 
headlong  in  the  battle  ; '  these  were  your  words.  Ha  !  ha  !  you 
look  like  it  now.  The  rose  curtains  become  your  complexion 
well. 

'  Beds  of  hyacinths  and  roses 
Where  young  Adonis  oft  reposes, 
Waxing  well  of  his  deep  wound 
In  slumber  soft.' 

Listen  to  me,  gallant  soldier.  Your  flight  upward  has  been 
swift  as  the  arrow  of  Acestes.  Beware  lest  you  share  its  fate 
and  be  consumed  in  going.  You  are  in  danger  now.  Ahri- 
manes  circles  you  with  subtle  darts.  Beware  the  temptations  of 
these  gardens.  Hold  your  passions  calm  and  unruffled  as  the 


54  IRENE. 

Lake  of  Wulur.  Thus  will  you  climb  still  higher  in  your  sover 
eign's  heart.  Alas  !  I  am  a  prisoner  once  more.  Would  you 
sec  me  again  ?  There  is  danger.  But  the  soldier  fears  nothing. 
I  can  whisper  words  in  your  year  that  will  aid  you.  There  is 
a  power  behind  the  throne  that  elevates  swifter  than  feats  of 
arms.  If  your  memory  of  me  has  not  passed  like  the  summer 
cloud,  wear  a  white  rose  when  you  see  a  red  rose  on  the  lattice. 
Then  follow  my  messenger  and  I  will  teach  you  the  arcana  im 
peril.  Princes  rule  their  slaves,  but  their  own  passions  rule 
princes.  Condescend  to  listen  to  a  woman,  and  you  will  soon 
attain  your  meridian  splendor. 

"IRENE." 

He  crushed  the  delicate  missive  nervously  in  his  hand,  while 
his  face  flushed.  "  How  came  she  here  ?  Is  she  one  of  the 
Shah's  wives?"  he  asked  himself,  while  his  bewilderment  in 
creased.  There  was  nothing  extraordinary  in  his  last  question. 
The  beautiful  being  he  had  encountered  in  the  deserted  village 
might  indeed  be  the  daughter  of  a  Khan  and  a  wife  of  the 
sovereign.  What  should  he  do  with  her  extraordinary  proposal  ? 
To  meet  clandestinely  the  wife  of  the  Shah  or  one  of  the  ladies 
of  his  extensive  anderoon,  was  at  present  a  physical  impossi 
bility.  He  was  too  weak  to  walk  or  to  follow  her  messenger. 
The  proposal  was  sheer  madness  in  any  event.  Death  would  be 
the  immediate  penalty  of  such  folly  if  discovered.  That  he 
had  obtained  access  to  the  palace  was  a  profound  mystery  in 
itself.  His  highest  ambition  was  to  please  his  sovereign.  To 
•isten  to  her  proposal  would  so  exasperate  the  Shah  that  both 
their  lives  would  pay  the  forfeit.  This  exquisite  being  had  fas 
cinated  him.  She  lied  evidently  sti  died  to  become  proficient 
in  all  the  graces  and  intellectual  acquirements  that  would  ele 
vate  her  character.  She  was  evidently  a  woman  of  that  upper 
class  of  Persians  who  pride  themselves  upon  their  intellectual 
culture.  She  was,  moreover,  surpassingly  beautiful.  Such 
combined  attractions,  both  of  person  and  mind,  could  not  fail 
of  their  effect  upon  so  susceptible  a  nature  as  that  of  Alfonso. 
But  now  he  started  back  with  a  shudder  from  the  abyss  on  whose 
brink  he  had  been  so  unconsciously  treading.  The  Shah's  wife! 
The  words  were  a  horror.  The  malignant  jealousy  of  a  Per 
sian  monarch  was  proverbial. 

But  as  he  re-read  the  dainty  missive,  and  realized  the  power 
he  had  gained  over  this  lovely  woman,  two  temptations  assailed 
him  violently.  His  vanity  led  him  to  look  with  complaisancy 


IRENE.  55 

upon  an  adventure  from  which  his  better  sense  would  have  dis 
suaded  him.  His  thirst  for  advancement  suggested  the  possi 
bility  of  her  power  to  perform  what  she  promised  in  making 
him  acquainted  with  the  secret  springs  that  influenced  the 
actions  of  the  Shah.  Temptations  are  very  sweet  that  are 
backed  by  beautiful  eyes,  high  rank,  and  a  subtle  pen.  The 
longer  they  are  suffered  to"  engross  the  attention,  the  weaker  be 
comes  the  power  of  resisting  them.  The  first  encounter  of  the 
young  officer  with  this  lovely  woman  had  in  its  consequences 
nearly  shivered  to  pieces  his  military  hopes.  She  had  caused 
him  to  neglect  his  duty.  Supposing  Irene  to  have  been  a  maid", 
he  was  not  disposed  to  criticise  his  own  conduct  too  severely. 
But  now  serious  doubts  were  tormenting  him  regarding  her 
actual  position.  If  she  proved  to  be  a  wife,  his  path  of  duty 
was  distinctly  marked  before  him.  In  any  event,  it  was  folly 
to  meet  her  in  such  a  locality  as  his  sovereign's  palace. 

Days  and  weeks  glided  past,  and  the  wounded  officer  found 
his  strength  sufficiently  restored  to  enable  him  to  walk  from 
room  to  room.  Finally  he  \vas  able  to  leave  the  palace  and 
rove  through  the  delicious  gardens.  The  attendant  eunuch 
never  was  out  of  sight,  but  was  all  courtesy,  kindness,  and  sym 
pathy.  Every  luxury  was  provided  for  the  officer.  He  saw 
eunuchs  occupied  in  beautifying  the  gardens,  but  never  for  an 
instant  was  permitted  to  look  upon  a  female  face.  He  imagined 
the  ladies  of  the  royal  anderoon  frequented  the  garden  at  hours 
when  he  was  excluded  from  it  and  restricted  to  certain  apart 
ments  in  the  palace.  But  of  one  fact  he  was  convinced  :  the 
expected  red  rose  had  never  made  its  appearance  upon  the  lat 
tice.  He  had  seen  no  opportunity  of  yielding  to  or  resisting 
the  fair  Irene's  temptation.  His  eyes  had  daily  sought  her 
lattice,  but  no  signal  rose  appeared.  Had  her  own  courage 
deserted  the  fair  tempter  ?  The  anxiety  which  finally  took  pos 
session  of  the  mind  of  this  gallant  officer  regarding  the  non- 
appearance  of  the  signal  was  extreme.  A  stern  conflict  had 
been  going  on  between  his  sense  of  duty  and  his  aspirations  for 
distinction.  Of  high  spirit  and  reckless  bravery,  great  personal 
beauty  and  noble  aspirations,  he  had  dwelt  long  upon  the  thought 
of  gaining  the  ear  of  the  Shah.  He  was  growing  impatient  of 
inactivity.  He  was  speculating  daily  upon  the  probabilities  of 
being  released  from  this  luxurious  hospital  and  restored  to  his 
regiment.  He  had  no  one  to  converse  with  but  ignorant  slaves. 
It  became  evident  at  length  that  "  Negauristan"  was  occupied 
only  by  the  ladies  of  the  Shah  and  the  eunuchs.  He  finally 


56  IRENE. 

allowed  his  discretion  and  firmness  to  yield  under  the  ennui  of 
his  monotonous  existence.  He  hailed  with  joy  everything  that 
looked  like  a  change  in  his  daily  routine.  He  determined  to 
take  advantage  of  any  opportunity  that  might  offer  to  have  an 
interview  with  the  mysterious  and  gifted  livne.  Perhaps  she 
possessed  genuine  power  to  aid  his  projects.  He  believed  or 
hoped  that  he  might  secure  her  services  without  compromising 
either  her  interests  or  his  own.  He  was  willing  at  last  to  incur 
some  hazard  to  gain  his  ends.  He  would  sacrifice  to  the  fur 
therance  of  his  ambition  something  of  the  tranquility  of  mind 
that  attaches  to  a  perfectly  safe  career.  He  would  risk  the  in 
terview  with  the  fair  Irene.  He  was  not  prepared  as  yet  to 
analyze  his  regard  for  this  lovely  stranger.  She  interested  him, 
and  he  would  know  more  concerning  her.  His  ambition  alone 
had  stifled  his  scruples,  and  he  finally  awaited  the  appearance  of 
the  red  rose  with  eager  interest.  He  was  unconscious  of  the 
firm  root  her  adroit  Mattery  had  taken.  She  had  appealed  to 
his  ambition,  and  suggested  for  it  a  brilliant  culmination.  His 
belief  in  his  exalted  destiny  was  his  predominant  thought,  and 
this  lovely  woman  had  fostered  it.  He  could  not  fail  to  admire 
one  possessed  of  so  great  discrimination. 

At  length,  after  the  lapse  of  many  weeks,  the  singular 
absence  of  the  Shah  from  his  summer  palace  still  continuing  to 
perplex  Alfonso,  he  was  relieved  by  discovering  a  red  rose 
clinging  to  the  mysterious  lattice.  It  must  have  been  thrust 
out  through  the  white  wood-work  during  his  last  half-hour's  stroll 
through  the  garden.  Concealing  his  delight  from  his  attendant 
eunuch  he  sought  an  opportunity  to  pluck  a  white  rose  from 
its  branch,  and  soon  attached  it  carelessly  to  his  robe.  He  cast 
no  looks  towards  the  lattice  as  he  walked  past,  and  finally 
seated  himself  in  a  bower,  whence  he  could  examine  the  local 
ity  as  on  ordinary  occasions.  A  glance  sufficed  to  inform  him 
that  the  red  rose  had  been  withdrawn.  No  doubt  the  watchful 
beauty  was  satisfied  with  his  assent,  and  had  removed  all  traces 
of  the  dangerous  intrigue.  How  anxiously  throbbed  his  heart 
for  her  next  manifestation  of  herself.  The  day  wore  tediously 
away,  the  night  came,  the  moon  sailed  upward  to  the  zenith. 
The  anxious  officer  sat  by  his  window  in  expectancy,  occasion 
ally  elevating  his  eyes  from  the  loveliness  of  the  charbagh  to  the 
hidden  loveliness  behind  the  lattice  of  the  andcroon.  Presently 
his  attendant  was  relieved,  as  was  customary,  by  another  sable 
eunuch.  The  new-comer  placed  before  the  sarkardah  a  porce 
lain  bowl  heaped  full  of  the  luscious  grapes  of  Astrachan,  and 


IRENE.  57 

then  drawing  from  his  waist  shawl  a  tiny  note,  handed  it  cau 
tiously  to  the  officer.  "  Follow  this  eunuch  fearlessly,  and  keep 
silent,"  was  traced  in  the  delicate  chirography  of  Irene.  The 
anxiety  of  the  officer  was  not  fated  to  be  of  long  duration. 
The  silent  guide  conducted  him  across  the  "court  of  the  bath," 
opened  a  door  beyond  by  means  of  a  ponderous  key,  and  dis 
closed  to  his  view  a  private  garden  of  exceeding  loveliness, 
cooled  by  fountains  and  illumined  by  the  moon.  Placing  his 
finger  upon  his  lip  in  token  of  the  silent  caution  to  be  observed 
in  the  place,  he  pointed  to  a  rose-covered  bower,  and  immedi 
ately  withdrew.  The  officer  entered  the  fragant  retreat,  and 
was  confronted  by  the  fair  companion  of  his  former  moonlight 
adventure  on  the  road  from  Koom  to  Kashan. 

Seated  upon  a  divan  of  marble  elegantly  cushioned,  she  mo 
tioned  him  to  a  seat  beside  her.  She  was  agitated  naturally 
enough  at  the  hazardous  interview  and  for  a  moment  was 
silent. 

Then,  as  she  resumed  her  self-control,  she  raised  her  lovely 
eyes  as  on  the  night  of  their  first  interview,  and  said  with  the 
faintest  tremor  in  her  voice,  — 

"  I  have  summoned  you  in  this  extraordinary  manner  to 
my  presence  at  the  request  of  your  friend.  I  have  taken  great 
interest  in  your  career  on  your  own  account.  I  now  have  addi 
tional  reason  to  aid  you  on  the  Ghebre's  account.  He  has 
requested  my  services  in  your  behalf,  and  his  word  is  law." 

"  Zenayi ! "  exclaimed  the  officer  in  surprise. 

"  Hush  !  you  will  be  overheard.  Those  apartments  are  full 
of  ladies."  She  pointed  to  a  row  of  windows  behind  her,  open, 
and  flooded  with  the  moonbeams. 

"  Yes,  Zenayi,"  she  resumed.  "  He  has  desired  me  to  point 
out  to  you  the  road  to  success." 

"  And  you  know  him  ?  " 

"  Yes,  far  better  than  you.  You  have  been  his  pupil  for  a 
few  years  only,  but  he  has  taught  me  nearly  my  whole  life." 

"  You  amaze  me.  He  never  mentioned  your  name  to  me, 
and  he  has  conversed  familiarly  with  me  for  years." 

"  Zenayi  keeps  his  own  counsel,"  she  answered. 
•      "  And  may  1  ask  why  you  are  in  the  Shah's  palace  ?  " 

"  And  I  keep  mine,"  she  replied,  as  if  finishing  her  sentence. 

Slightly  annoyed  at  this  rebuff,  he  said,  "  I  would  not  be  in 
quisitive,  lady  ;  but  some  things  1  have  a  right  to  know.  Before 
I  consent  to  proceed  further  in  an  interview  attended  by  so 

3* 


$8  IRENE. 

much  danger,  I  must  know  if  you  are  a  wife,  or  if  any  one  has 
claim  upon  you  as  a  member  of  any  anderoon  in  Persia." 

She  looked  up  in  surprise  at  this,  and  fathomed  at  once  the 
depths  of  his  thought. 

"  Oh  !  no,"  she  said  gayly.  "  I  am  only  a  girl.  You  need 
have  no  fear  of  me." 

The  charming  naivete  of  this  response  dissolved  his  long- 
entertained  apprehensions.  He  experienced  an  instantaneous 
sense  of  relief,  and  his  previous  embarrassment  of  manner  van 
ished. 

"  Then  as  you  are  untrammelled,"  he  said,  "  save  by  the  ab 
surd  custom,  of  Persia,  which  make  you  all  prisoners,  I  will  lis 
ten  to  you  cheerfully  and  gratefully,  particularly  since  the  Ghe- 
bre  commissions  you.  Had  you  notified  me  before  that  he  \\.is 
acting  through  you,  a  great  load  of  apprehension  and  doubt 
would  have  been  removed  from  my  mind." 

"  I  do  not  act  exclusively,"  she  replied,  "  because  the  Ghcbre 
desires  it.  I  have  my  own  wishes  regarding  your  advance 
ment." 

"  That  is  generous  and  kind,  lady,  for  I  am  almost  a  stran 
ger." 

"  No  soldier  is  a  stranger  who  hazards  his  life  for  my 
country." 

These  words  were  uttered  with  the  pathos  and  the  majesty  of 
an  empress.  The  listener  was  deeply  moved.  "  I  could  know 
from  those  words  alone,"  he  said,  "  that  you  had  been  a  pupil 
of  the  Ghebre." 

"  Yes,"  she  replied,  "  Zenayi  is  a  sublime  patriot,  and  had  our 
great  Khans  one  tenth  of  his  zeal  and  wisdom  and  energy, 
those  Muscovite  bears  would  not  dare  issue  their  mandates  that 
our  boundaries  should  be  thus  circumscribed." 

"  I  have  consecrated  my  life  to  Persia,"  he  said,  thrilled  by 
her  tones,  so  full  of  power  and  sweetness. 

"  Yes,  brave  soldier,  I  know  it.  Zenayi  has  told  me  all.  It 
is  for  this  that  you  meet  me  here.  We  both  seek  your  advance 
ment  because  we  reali/.e  that  energy  and  will  like  yours  are 
vital  to  the  defence  and  aggrandi/ement  of  Persia.  There  is 
but  one  regret  for  both  of  us,  and  that  is,  that  you  will  not  early 
and  promptly  adopt  that  line  of  policy  which  will  place  you  at 
the  suir.mit." 

"What  can  you  mean?"  exclaimed  the  officer. 

'•  The  Ghebre  has  informed  me  that  you  have  declared  to  him 
your  system  of  policy  in  the  army." 


IRENE.  59 

"And  what  is  that?"  inquired  the  amazed  sarkardah. 

"  That  you  will  never  be  the  temporizing  slave  of  expe 
diency." 

"  Nor  will  I,"  he  replied.  "  He  has  given  you  my  very 
words." 

"  Then  you  are  a  pious  and  fanciful  enthusiast." 

This  avowal  of  laxity  of  moral  principle  startled  the  high- 
minded  officer. 

"  The  standard  of  morality  is  elevated  or  depressed  according 
to  the  tone  of  morals  which  prevails  around  us.  I  pardon  you, 
therefore,  lady,  in  consideration  of  the  laxity  of  principle  which 
popular  rumor  ascribes  to  the  anderoons  of  the  Shah." 

She  laughed  a  scornful  laugh.  Then  composing  herself  she 
replied  : 

"  Such  frankness  impresses  one  with  a  conviction  of  the  sin 
cerity  of  your  acceptance  of  the  rumor.  But  the  world  knows 
little  of  the  secrets  of  the  royal  anderoon,  except  what  it  derives 
from  its  own  experience.  The  andcroon  is  but  the  world  in 
miniature.  The  same  passions  and  prejudices,  hopes,  and  jeal 
ousies  are  known  in  the  house  of  the  subject  as  in  that  of  the 
Prince." 

After  a  brief  silence  she  resumed :  "  Your  ambitious  hopes 
will  be  frustrated  unless  you  abandon  your  position  and  resort 
to  diplomacy.  You  must  take  the  world  as  you  find  it.  Arti 
fice,  tact,  compromises,  and  suppression  of  the  tnith  make  and 
unmake  states.  The  mother  cannot  even  rear  and  protect  her 
child  without  resort  to  them.  The  friend  cannot  gain  advan 
tages  for  the  loved  one  without  employing  them." 

Fascinated  and  thralled  by  the  strength  and  subtlety  of  her 
intellect  and  her  radiant  beauty,  he  contemplated  her  with  ad 
miration.  Then  he  said  : 

"  I  cannot  stoop  to  measures  detrimental  to  my  honor.  Dis 
simulation  is  foreign  to  my  nature.  I  prefer  an  open,  fair,  fear 
less  career." 

"  You  have  not  attained  your  present  eminence,  gallant  sol 
dier,  by  an  open,  fair,  fearless  career." 

He  started,  and  his  face  flushed  with  anger.  "  I  have  cut 
my  way  to  rank  by  my  good  sword." 

"  Aye  ! "  she  responded.  "  You  have  been  bold  in  the  field, 
even  reckless.  But  you  know,  as  well  as  I  do,  that  you  would 
never  have  been  transferred  to  a  command  in  the  honorary 
body-guard  if  you  had  not  practised  deceit.  I  call  your  con 
cealment  of  the  truth,  diplomacy  —  the  justifiable  diplomacy  of 


60  IRENE. 

life.  Soldier,  a  woman  knows  your  secret.  You  are  a  Chris 
tian." 

He  was  utterly  confounded,  and  looked  at  her  in  blank  amaze 
ment.  She  continued,  — 

"  You  could  not  hold  your  rank  an  hour  if  you  did  not  fre 
quent  the  mosque.  You  know  that  the  followers  of  the  Prophet 
alone,  are  allowed  to  hold  position  in  the  honorary  corps.  H;i ! 
ha !  Is  this  an  open,  fair,  fearless  career.  Soldier,  you  have 
been  acting  sense  and  talking  nonsense." 

The  sarkardah  was  utterly  routed  by  this  truth  boldly  spoken. 
From  the  first  instant  of  his  discovery,  that  advancement  under 
the  Persian  Shah  would  be  greatly  facilitated  by  embracing  the 
religion  of  Mecca,  he  had  followed  the  Ghebre's  advice,  and 
become  a  professed  believer.  In  his  heart  he  did  not  assent  to 
a  single  dogma  of  that  faith,  and  Zenayi  knew  it.  In  certain 
departments  of  the  army,  the  denial  of  a  foreign  religion  was 
not  essential  to  command.  Hut  in  the  body-guard  of  the  Shah 
no  "  infidel "  could  hold  rank  or  place.  And  yet  that  was  the 
real  corps  for  an  ambitious  soldier  to  enter.  He  remained  si 
lent.  Irene,  conscious  of  her  triumph,  resumed  : 

"The  artifices  and  deceits  of  the  mother  are  only  the  coun 
terparts  of  the  dissimulations  of  states.  A  great  good  in  both 
instances  justifies  the  deceits.  They  alone  are  false  who  are 
false  to  what  they  are  bound  to  love,  protect,  and  advance. 
JVhen  you  are  false  to  your  friend,  the  Ghebre,  false  to  the 
mother  who  reared  you,  false  to  Persia,  which  you  have  sworn 
to  defend,  then  you  become  my  enemy.  The  fealty  you  owe  to 
your  God  is  in  your  heart.  No  man  has  the  right  to  criticise 
its  outward  manifestation.  Hence  I  do  not  charge  you  with 
blame  in  frequenting  the  mosque.  But  I  do  argue,  that  since 
you  have  chosen  to  become  a  defender  of  my  country,  you 
should  seize  every  opportunity  to  advance  her  interest  by  strat 
agem,  by  diplomacy,  and  by  skill.  Zenayi  unites  with  im-  in 
the  hope  that  you  will  prove  the  benefactor  of  Persia.  Hence 
we  join  to  advise  you  to  seek  promotion  at  an  Oriental  court 
by  the  tact,  flattery,  courtesy,  address,  and  craft  by  which  princes 
are  influenced." 

Divested  of  her  natural  timidity,  and  radiant  with  the  inspira 
tion  of  her  theme,  her  eyes  sparkled  as  they  regarded  him, 
and  she  awaited  eagerly  the  soldier's  reply.  Conscious  that  he 
was  detected  in  his  religious  artifice  to  retain  his  position  in  the 
honorary  corps,  and  easily  led  by  his  indomitable  ambition  to 
adopt  any  line  of  policy  that  would  secure  his  further  advance- 


IRENE.  6 1 

ment,  he  made  little  opposition  to  her  political  schemes.  Her 
diplomatic  subtlety  and  flattering  interest  in  his  fortunes  grad 
ually  weakened  his  power  of  resisting  her  arguments.  Already 
were  the  beauty  and  magnificence  of  the  Persian  Court  inflam 
ing  his  imagination,  and  his  military  promotions  had  only 
aroused  his  ambition  for  still  loftier  heights.  If  the  sophistry 
of  the  fair  tempter  had  failed  to  convince  h^r  auditor  that  ex 
pediency  was  lawful  in  the  moral  and  religious  sense,  it  had 
nevertheless  shattered  his  power  of  resistance.  He  said,  after  a 
long  and  painful  silence : 

"  I  cannot  oppose  the  united  verdict  of  two  friends  like  you 
and  Zenayi.  You  have  pronounced  in  favor  of  strategy.  I 
deem  it  the  highest  honor  to  afford  the  slightest  gratification  to 
those  who  have  befriended  me.  Your  love  for  Persia  cannot 
be  questioned.  I  place  myself,  therefore,  under  your  guidance, 
as  the  ally  of  the  Ghebre." 

The  eyes  of  the  brilliant  beauty  fairly  blazed  in  her  triumph. 
The  mortal  whom  her  ardent  nature  had  invested  with  all  the 
perfections  of  a  hero  and  a  man,  had  consented  to  become  her 
pupil  in  the  artifices  of  the  court.  She  was  no  less  ambitious 
than  he  for  his  future  glory.  To  the  natural  products  of  his 
military  genius  and  valor,  she  believed  her  knowledge  of  the 
court  would  enable  him  to  add  laurels  that  he  little  dreamed  of 
She  was  one  of  the  most  beautiful,  patriotic,  least  scrupulous 
and  most  intriguing  women  of  the  age.  Her  originality  of. 
thought  and  power  of  brilliant  expression  had  attracted  the 
notice  of  the  Ghebre,  and  he  saw  in  her  an  able  coadjutor  in  his 
schemes  for  advancing  the  glory  of  his  beloved  Persia.  She 
had  been  the  medium  of  his  secret  correspondence  with  Abbas 
Mirza,  the  heir  apparent  to  the  throne,  and  the  ablest  modern 
statesman  and  soldier  of  that  sunny  land.  His  influence  over 
Abbas  Mirza  was  even  greater  than  rumor  admitted.  To  evade 
the  jealous  eyes  of  moullahs  and  princes  near  the  throne,  the 
correspondence  of  these  two  noble  patriots  was  entrusted  often 
to  the  hands  of  the  intrepid,  brilliant,  and  youthful  beauty,  Irene, 
who,  from  her  relationship  to  Futteh  Ali  Shah,  had  the  entree  of 
the  royal  anderoons. 

Under  such  favorable  auspices  had  the  sarkardah  been  es 
tablished  near  the  Court  of  Teheran.  His  extraordinary  dsi- 
nnction,  in  being  selected  as  a  guest  of  the  Shah  during  his 
illness,  was  due  to  the  fact  that  during  the  battle  with  the 
Bakhtiaris  he  had  recklessly  dashed  into  a  squad  of  the  marau- 


62  IRENE. 

ders,  and  at  the  imminent  peril  of  his  life  rescued  a  prisoner 
they  were  bearing  off  towards  the  desert  of  Khorassan.  That 
prisoner  was  the  youngest  son  of  the  Shah. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

"  My  tonput  took  an  oatk,  but  my  mind  it  mtnvorn" 

Eurifidet. 

[ICTATOR  and  amanuensis.    Both  were  beautiful,  and 
seated  on  a  divan  with  their  feet  tucked  under  them. 

Dictator.    "  Hush  !     If  you  laugh  so,  we  will  never 
get  through." 

Amanuensis.    "I  can't  help  it    This  thing  is  too  ridiculous." 
Dictator.    "  You  must  help  it,  or  your  head  will  be  in  a  bas 
ket." 

With  a  determined  effort  at  self-control,  the  last  speaker 
composed  her  features  and  proceeded  to  dictate  the  love-letter. 
The  amanuensis  smoothed  down  his  countenance  also,  and 
proceeded  to  write.  The  astounding  epistle,  which  was  finally 
completed  after  the  risibilities  of  both  had  been  taxed  to  the 
utmost,  read  as  follows  : 

"  Light  of  my  life.  I  have  followed  you  from  Ispahan,  as  the 
Chaldean  followed  the  star.  I  have  never  gazed  upon  the 
loveliness  of  your  face ;  but  I  have  stood  near  you,  and  watched 
your  graceful  form,  and  listened  to  the  music  of  your  voice  until 
my  reason  is  well  nigh  shattered.  I  know  that  the  countenance 
which  lies  hid  beneath  that  veil  is  the  face  of  an  angel.  Grace 
is  the  first  attribute  of  Israfil.  But  you  have  stolen  that  precious 
gift  from  the  celestial.  Music  is  the  matchless  power  of  Israfil. 
But  in  the  sweetness  of  your  voice,  that  resurrection  angel  has 
veiled  his  face  and  wept  for  joy.  Once  I  had  deemed  it  joy 
and  bliss  unspeakable  to  enter  Paradise  and  listen  to  the  voice 
of  Israfil  singing  before  great  Allah's  throne.  Alas  1  there  is  no 
more  Paradise  for  me,  save  where  your  footsteps  linger  and  your 
voice  breathes  melody.  I  saw  a  young  mother  bending  over 
her  first-born,  and  the  cooing  of  the  child  ravished  her  heart  ; 
but  when  you  laughed  in  passing,  the  mother  abandoned  her 
child,  and  followed  you.  I  saw  the  lover  when  the  maid's 


IRENE.  63 

voice  whispered  'Yes,'  but  he  turned  from  her  when  your 
words  made  the  garden  flowers  bend  their  fair  heads  to  listen. 
Ah  !  sweet  voice,  ravishing  voice,  you  combine  the  melodies 
of  angels  and  of  men.  All  turn  to  follow  you.  All  other 
sounds  are  discord  when  you  speak.  Can  you  wonder,  then, 
dear  woman,  that  my  heart  and  ear  were  thrilled  when  that 
voice  beneath  the  veil  first  met  my  ear?  Can  you  wonder 
that  your  graceful  form  and  step  at  Ispahan  gained  for  you  the 
title  '  Lily  of  Iran '  ?  And  yet  upon  your  face  I  have  never 
looked.  And  I  have  followed  you  timidly  from  hill  to  vale, 
from  town  to  city,  but  no  glimpse  of  that  veiled  beauty  rewards 
me.  I  love  you,  and  yet  my  eyes  feed  only  on  the  air.  In 
Sanscrit  the  mirage  is  called  '  the  thirst  of  the  gazelle.'  This 
is  my  thirst.  You  are  my  mirage.  I  see  not  your  face,  and 
yet  I  follow.  Ah  !  will  you  never  become  reality  to  me.  Will 
you  not,  for  the  burning  heart  that  follows  you,  remove  that 
veil,  that  I  may  see,  blended  with  your  grace  and  music,  your 
beauty  too  ?  My  heart  is  young,  my  life  is  young,  and  all  their 
freshness  and  unsullied  power  reach  forth  to  you  in  worship. 
Hear  me,  see  me,  call  to  me,  that  I  may  come  and  pour  my 
heart's  treasures  at  your  feet,  and  I  will  kneel  to  you  in  such 
pure  and  humble  mien  for  one  sweet  smile  that  all  the  angels 
will  approve  !  I  have  followed  you,  my  star,  until  you  pause 
at  the  sweet  bowers  of  roses  circling  Negauristan.  I  have 
dared  the  sabre,  I  have  faced  death,  to  see  you.  Reward  my 
love  with  one  sweet  smile,  and  I  will  die  content. 

"ALFONSO." 

Her  eyes,  large,  beautiful,  and  full  of  light,  contemplated  the 
amanuensis  while  he  re-read  the  entire  epistle,  that  the  full 
effect  of  a  continuous  reading  might  be  ascertained. 

"  What  do  you  think  of  it  ?  "  she  inquired,  when  he  had  fin 
ished. 

"  Superb  !  nothing  could  be  better.  The  lady,  doubtless, 
will  consider  me  a  lunatic." 

"  No  ;  she  will  be  in  raptures.  You  will  be  the  gainer,  if 
you  follow  up  the  plan  with  vigor.  Trust  me  to  read  the  van 
ities  of  women." 

"  Well,  lead  on  ;  my  word  is  pledged." 

The  dictator  arose,  and  left  the  room ;  the  amanuensis  re 
mained  seated  on  the  divan.  After  the  lapse  of  an  hour,  the 
eunuch  of  the  dictator  appeared  at  the  door,  and  with  the  sin 
gle  word  "  follow,"  led  the  way  down  the  steps  of  the  palace, 


64  IRENE. 

to  the  main  avenue  of  the  garden.  The  heat  was  intense  ;  and 
the  shade  of  the  shrubbery  was  particularly  agreeable.  The 
guide  passed  on  through  the  lanes  of  roses,  slowly  conducting 
the  officer  to  a  far-off  grotto,  or  temple,  which,  from  its  con 
struction,  materials,  and  encircling  fountains,  was  delightfully 
cool  and  secluded.  At  the  door  of  the  temple,  the  slave  bowed 
and  turned  immediately  away,  leaving  the  officer  to  pass  in 
alone.  The  latter,  upon  entering,  discovered  a  lady,  magnifi 
cently  attired,  seated  upon  a  divan.  She  was  veiled,  but  im 
mediately  extended  her  hand,  which  was  wondrously  fair.  The 
officer  pressed  it  to  his  lips,  dropped  it  again,  and  remained 
standing.  Two  piercing  eyes  were  contemplating  him  through 
the  opening  in  the  veil ;  they  gave  no  clue  ta  the  age  of 
their  owner.  Glancing  out  through  the  rows  of  luxuriant  pop 
lars,  willows,  and  fruit-trees,  he  saw  that  they  were  free  from 
danger  of  intrusion,  and  commenced  at  once  to  pay  court  to 
the  veiled  lady  before  him.  She  appeared  to  be  perfectly  self- 
possessed,  and  desired  him  to  be  seated  beside  her.  Her  voice 
was  very  feminine  and  gentle.  He  began  at  last  to  realize  that 
his  extravagant  praise  in  the  love-letter  was  not,  after  all,  so 
great  a  departure  from  the  truth.  His  interest  deepened  in  the 
veiled  beauty  who  was  to  be  the  victim  of  the  court  intrigue. 

"  Have  I  not  offended  you,  lady,  by  my  presumption  in  avow 
ing  my  love  ?  " 

Two  penetrating  eyes  were  regarding  him  with  interest,  but 
being  the  only  features  of  her  face  that  were  visible,  they  af 
forded  no  clue  to  her  emotions.  The  opening  for  the  eyes 
barely  afforded  the  wearer  of  the  veil  the  opportunity  to  look 
out. 

"  Your  admittance  to  this  garden  should  convince  you  of  my 
true  feeling.  We  are  not  prone  to  take  offence  at  those  we 
admit  to  our  presence  at  the  peril  of  our  lives." 

"Then  you  pity  me,  lovely  stranger,"  he  inquired,  his  inter 
est  waxing  greater  at  each  glance  he  cast  into  her  eyes. 

"  I  respect  you,"  she  said  gently;  "but  still  I  cannot  con 
ceive  of  love  which  is  not  based  on  acquaintance." 

"  Did  not  my  letter  convince  you,  fair  lady  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  believe  you  ;  you  have  the  countenance  of  truth. 
And  so  you  have  followed  me  all  the  weary  road  from  I  Da 
lian?" 

"  Yes ;  and  the  road  to  me  was  not  weary.  I  could  follow 
you  forever,  if  only  you  would  deign  to  smile  upon  me  some 
times  by  the  way." 


IRENE.  65 

"  Ah  !  then  your  constancy  would  only  continue  on  the 
pledge  of  sometimes  looking  on  my  face." 

"  You  mistake  the  ardor  of  my  love,  dear  lady  With  such  a 
voice  and  form  you  can  hold  me  your  slave  if  that  cruel  veil 
is  nerer  raised." 

"  Suppose  I  try  you,"  she  said.'' 

"My  love  for  you  will  endure  any  test,  however  cruel.  Try 
me  by  any  test,  and  see  how  passionately  I  will  follow  you,  if 
only  you  will  say  that  you  will  love  me  after  the  trial  is  over." 

"  I  will  love  you  upon  such  terms,"  she  said,  coquettishly. 
"  Mark  my  words  now.  I  accept  you  as  my  lover,  provided 
that  you  will  never  ask  me  to  unveil  myself.  When  the  trial  is 
satisfactory  to  me,  when  I  have  tested  your  constancy  long 
enough,  then  will  I  reveal  myself  to  you.  Then  will  I  be  to  you 
all  that  you  can  desire." 

"Ah  !  light  of  my  life,"  he  exclaimed,  passionately  seizing 
her  exquisite  hand,  "  you  have  conceded  everything." 

She  did  not  withdraw  her  hand,  but  it  lay  there  folded  in  his, 
soft,  warm,  and  loving.  This  contact  seemed  to  thrill  them 
both,  and  they  sat  in  silence  in  the  fragrant  atmosphere  of  the 
garden.  He  had  come  there  to  intrigue  for  power  ;  he  re 
mained  to  love.  Without  one  glance  into  her  face,  he  loved. 
The  eyes,  the  white  neck,  the  partially  revealed  and  snowy 
bosom,  and  the  grace  of  form,  joined  to  that  low,  sweet  voice  of 
tenderness,  had  thralled  him  utterly,  and  the  two  strangers  were 
from  that  instant  lovers.  His  letter  had  won  her ;  her  pres 
ence  had  enchained  him.'  With  but  the  single  barrier  of  the 
veil  between  them,  they  were  accepted  of  each  other.  She 
trusted  him.  She  knew  the  veil  would  remain  intact,  and  he, 
with  all  his  eagerness  and  fire,  would  have  died  before  the 
sanctity  of  his  promise  was  violated.  He  drew  her  at  length 
to  him,  and  she  faintly  resisted  him  ;  then  her  head  fell  upon 
his  shoulder,  and  he  passionately  kissed  her  eyes.  They  were 
all  of  her  features  that  were  left  to  him  from  his  pledge.  If 
the  concealed  lips  of  the  woman  were  ravishing  as  those  of 
Aphrodite,  he  could  not  reach  them  because  of  the  veil. 

And  there,  in  the  soft,  voluptuous  hush  of  the  summer  time, 
and  with  the  air  laden  with  perfumes,  the  strange  beauty  clung 
to  the  ardent  lover  whose  words  and  mien  had  enthralled  her. 
And  he,  bewildered  by  the  loveliness  which  trembled  in  his 
arms,  whispered  on  and  on,  in  accents  of  tenderness,  which  were 
born  of  nature  and  of  the  hour.  The  intended  victim  of  the 
state  intrigue  had  become  his  ruler ;  and  for  the  first  time  in 


66  IRENE. 

his  eventful  life  he  loved,  and  loved  desperately!*  Whoever  or 
whatever  she  was,  he  loved  her,  and  the  consciousness  of  the 
absorbing  nature  of  that  love  grew  upon  him  the  longer  she 
remained  clasped  in  his  arms.  She  was  young,  ardent,  and 
glowing  with  womanly  charms  and  graces.  By  some  singular 
combination  of  events  that  he  could  not  fathom,  his  letter  had 
fallen  into  unexpected  hands  —  the  hands  of  the  veiled  woman 
beside  him.  It  was  intended  for  the  hands  of  an  old  and  in 
fluential  wife  of  the  Shah,  ugly  in  feature  and  form,  and  of  harsh 
accents,  but  of  wonderful  power  in  the  state.  Her  excessive 
vanity  was  to  have  been  played  upon  by  the  schemers,  in  order 
to  secure  her  influence  at  court. 

Irene  had  incited  him  to  this  diplomacy,  and  had  portrayed 
to  him  the  advantages  that  would  attend  upon  his  becoming 
the  professed  lover  of  this  old  crone.  The  female  schemer  had 
in  some  unaccountable  manner  been  thwarted  in  the  delivery 
of  the  love-letter,  and  it  had  fallen  into  the  possession  of  some 
one  young  and  lovely.  This,  at  least,  was  the  solution  to  the 
young  sarkardah  in  the  first  moments  of  his  astonishment.  So 
entranced  was  he  by  the  appearance  of  this  exquisite  being 
upon  the  scene  (who  evidently  believed  the  letter  was'  intended 
for  her),  that  he  dared  not  divulge  the  secret  of  the  real  desti 
nation  of  the  missive.  That  would  destroy  the  charm  of  her 
hallucination  that  she  had  been  secretly  loved  by  a  stranger. 
Encouraging  her  delusion,  he  led  himself  on  to  love,  and  before 
he  was  conscious  of  it,  was  bound  with  fetters  stronger  than 
steel. 

"Who  are  you,  darling  angel?"  he  said  at  length,  holding 
her  head  tight  to  his  breast,  and  looking  down  into  the  luminous 
depths  of  those  eyes,  that  regarded  him  with  boundless  tender 
ness.  "  I  have  followed  you  and  dreamed  of  you  until  I  have 
been  almost  crazed.  Tell  me,  are  you  a  spirit  of  the  celestial 
realm  sent  down  to  tantalize  me  with  your  loveliness  ?  " 

She  hesitated  for  an  instant ;  then,  as  if  her  purpose  was  sud 
denly  taken,  she  murmured,  "  I  would  not  attach  any  harder 
terms  to  such  a  noble  lover,  than  the  inviolable  mystery  of  the 
veil.  But  this  question  I  cannot  answer  now ;  when  the  veil 
is  removed  you  shall  know  who  I  am.  If  you  love  me,  do  not 
press  this  question." 

"  Mystery  upon  mystery,"  he  murmured,  pressing  her  closer 
to  him.  "  Now  will  you  realize  the  boundless  nature  of  my 
worship  for  you.  I  will  not  seek  to  solve  your  secret.  Only 
give  me  that  heaven  of  my  heart,  the  knowledge  of  your  love, 


IRENE.  67 

and  I  will  wait  your  revelation  of  yourself  to  me  at  your  own 
time." 

"I  do  love  you,  then,"  she  whispered,  hiding  her  face  in  his 
bosom.  A  storm  of  passion  swept  over  his  heart  at  those  sweet 
words,  and  he  folded  her  again  and  again  to  himself.  He  had 
won  a  priceless  and  a  passionate  heart,  a  love  that  was  eternal. 
Some  instinct  told  him  this,  and  in  the  fierce  joy  of  such  a  pos 
session  the  world  and  its  ambitions  faded  out  and  were  gone. 
He  ceased  to  remember  and  to  hope,  for  all  joy  seemed  bound 
up  in  the  fruition  of  this  summer  hour. 

How  long  he  lingered  in  those  white,  peerless  arms,  he  never 
knew.  He  only  bent  his  gaze  tenderly  upon  those  eyes  that 
held  his  life,  and  wondered  if  those  hidden  lips  were  rosy  red 
and  moist  for  his  chained  kiss.  For  each  and  every  feature  of 
the  veiled  face,  his  countenance  was  eager  and  his  heart  beat. 
But  in  the  honor  of  his  soul  those  lips  were  sacred,  and  their 
warm,  eager  kiss  remained  untouched,  untasted,  and  concealed. 

The  return  to  life  and  reason  originated  with  the  maid,  if 
maid  she  were.  Withdrawing  herself  gently  from  his  arms,  she 
sat  erect  once  more,  adjusted  the  rose  wreath  that  his  ardor 
had  displaced,  and  then  placing  her  hand  quietly  in  his,  said  in 
her  clear,  sweet  voice : 

"  Tell  me,  Alfonso,  what  are  your  great  aims  in  life.  Tell 
me,  that  I  may  help  you." 

"First,  yourself;  second,  a  name,"  he  replied,  rousing  him 
self  to  his  accustomed  activity  of  mind. 

"  What  honor  would  you  have  next  ?  What  power  do  you 
crave  in  the  State  or  in  the  army  ?  " 

Her  manner  had  changed  on  the  instant,  and  her  stronger 
character  was  coming  out.  He  was  amazed. 

"  I  would  prize  above  all  other  honors,"  he  said  at  length, 
"  a  separate  command.  I  am  a  sarkardah  in  the  royal  horse. 
I  would  be  the  sole  commander  of  an  expedition,  untrammelled 
by  orders  other  than  the  orders  of  the  Shah  or  Abbas  Mirza." 

"  Define  your  wishes,  Alfonso  ;  I  can  aid  you." 

"  Impossible  !  "  he  exclaimed.     "  Who  are  you  ?  " 

She  laughed  a  merry  laugh  before  she  reminded  him  of  the 
inviolability  of  her  secrets. 

"  I  will  tell  you,  then,"  he  said,  "  to  what  particular  com 
mand  I  aspire." 

"  Very  well.     Say  on." 

"  Do  you  know,"   he  said,  looking  curiously  at  her,   as  if 


68  IRENE. 

some  suspicion  was  aroused,  "  that  the  Turcomans  were  band 
ed  with  the  Bakhtiaris  in  the  late  rebellion  ?  " 

"  I  do,"  she  replied. 

"  Then  hear  me.  Those  wild  plunderers  beyond  our  borders 
will  never  respect  the  domain  of  Persia,  until  they  are  chastised 
on  their  own  soil,  amid  their  wives  and  their  herds.  If  I  had 
power  over  five  thousand  horse  to  lead  them  across  the  border, 
I  would  deal  such  havoc  among  those  wild  riders  that  they 
would  behave  themselves  in  future.  This  is  the  command  I 
crave.  If  I  return  unsuccessful,  the  Shah  is  welcome  to  my 
head."  He  spoke  vehemently. 

"  You  shall  have  that  command,  Alfonso." 

"You  speak  confidently,  dear  lady,"  he  said;  "are  you  the 
wife  of  the  Shah  ?  " 

"  Would  you  hold  me  in  your  arms  if  I  were  his  wife  ? " 
The  tone  was  reproachful.  He  remained  silent. 

"Speak,  Alfonso." 

The  position  was  a  perilous  one.  But  the  reproachful  tone 
had  given  him  his  clue,  and  he  hazarded  a  bold  response. 

"  No,  dea  rlady,  I  would  sink  into  my  grave  by  my  own  dag 
ger  before  I  would  fold  to  my  heart  the  wife  of  another." 

The  reply  was  a  happy  one  ;  for  she  instantly  exclaimed, 
"  I  knew  it !  I  knew  it !  You  are  still  uncorrupted  by  the  Per 
sian  court.  Now  you  shall  have  the  command  against  the 
Turcomans  without  fail." 

"  How  can  you  secure  me  that  ?  "  he  inquired  eagerly.  "  It 
is  my  wildest  dream  to  gain  that  opportunity  for  distinction." 

"  Wait  patiently,"  she  said,  "  and  the  order  shall  be  sent  to 
you  after  you  rejoin  the  army.  Perhaps  sooner." 

"  I  can  believe  in  your  love,  dear  lady,  but  not  in  your 
power." 

"  True  love  is  ever  powerful,  Alfonso,  and  cuts  its  way  where 
friendship  falters.  You  will  find  that  I  speak  truth.  The  ex 
pedition  shall  be  placed  under  your  command." 

"  Why,  dear  lady,"  he  exclaimed,  "  it  has  not  even  been 
projected." 

"  It  shall  be  projected,"  she  answered  firmly. 

"  I  am  too  young  and  obscure  to  secure  the  honor  and  re 
sponsibility  of  such  an  expedition." 

••  You  shall  command  it  —  mark  my  words." 

"  Who  gave  you  my  letter  ?"  he  inquired. 

"  I  cannot  tell  you  that,  Alfonso  I  have  no  right  to  tell 
you." 


IRENE.  69 

"You  will  not  gratify  my  curiosity  in  any  way,  dear  lady  ?" 

"  No.  When  you  wrote  that  letter  you  had  not  a  single 
thought  or  wish  in  life  but  to  gain  my  love.  You  have  secured 
that ;  you  have  stolen  my  heart.  I  have  given  you  a  woman's 
highest  gift,  and  on  sacred  terms.  Let  that  suffice.  You  have 
loved  an  unknown.  You  must  still  continue  to  love  an  un 
known  until  she  chooses  to  raise  the  veil.  You  intended  that 
letter  for  me,  did  you  not  ?  " 

This  interrogatory  was  startling,  but  there  was  only  one  bold 
answer  that  could  be  given.  It  was  promptly  given. 

"  Yes,  for  you." 

"  And  you  have  no  suspicions  as  to  who  I  am  ?  " 

"  No,,  angel  of  grace  and  music.  Nor  do  I  care.  If  you 
are  a  queen  or  a  peasant,  it  matters  not  to  me.  I  love  you." 

"  And  you  can  love  a  veiled  face  ?  " 

"  Yes !  with  my  whole  being  and  with  all  the  ardor  of  my 
heart." 

"  Will  you  ever  love  another  ?  " 

"  Never  ! " 

"  Swear  it,  then,  holding  your  face  towards  Mecca." 

"  I  swear  it." 

"  Now  I  believe  you,"  she  said ;  "  and  when  the  time  of 
your  probation  is  over,  you  can  withdraw  this  veil  and  see  to 
whom  you  have  pledged  your  faith." 

"  Ah  !  happy  hour  will  that  be,  dear  lady,  when  I  may  with 
draw  the  veil  and  see  the  beauty  which  belongs  to  the  ravish 
ing  voice  and  the  graceful  form.  But  how  shall  I  know  that 
the  dear  hour  has  come  ?  " 

She  meditated  for  an  instant ;  then  placing  her  white  fingers 
beneath  her  silk  shawl  girdle,  she  drew  out  a  folded  paper, 
opened  it,  and  revealed  its  contents.  It  was  a  flame-colored 
ribbon,  to  which  was  attached  the  badge  of  the  Order  of  the 
Sun  Lion,  an  honorary  decoration  given  by  the  Shah  to  dis 
tinguished  commanders  of  the  army.  The  sarkardah  eagerly 
examined  it,  for  it  was  a  distinction  which  he  hoped  some  day  to 
wear.  Feth  Ali  Shah  founded  the  order.  The  badge  of  honor 
was  a  golden,  white-enamelled,  six-pointed,  rounded  star  with 
golden  balls,  which  rested  upon  a  green-enamelled  wreath  of 
palm-leaves.  The  central  field  displajied  the  rising  sun,  and 
on  the  reverse  was  a  couchant  lion. 

"You  will  notice,"  she  said,  when  he  had  satisfied  his 
curiosity  in  the  examination  of  the  badge,  "that  one  of  the 
star-points  is  broken  off.  Mark  this  particular  badge,  that  you 


70  IRENE 

may  know  it  again  wherever  you  chance  to  see  it.  When  you 
see  in  the  future  this  decoration  of 'the  Order  of  the  Sun  Lion 
attached  to  my  veil,  withdraw  the  veil  from  my  face,  and  claim 
me  if  you  wish." 

She  replaced  the  badge  under  her  girdle,  and  the  officer 
studied  curiously  her  person  for  some  clue  to  her  future  identi 
fication.  Who  could  she  be  ?  Doubtless  a  person  of  some 
consequence  about  the  court.  The  confident  tone  in  which 
she  predicted  his  future  advancement  convinced  him  that  she 
was  in  some  way  related  to  the  Persian  monarch.  He  dared 
not  question  her  concerning  Irene,  satisfied  as  he  was  that  that 
crafty  girl  had  in  some  way  t>een  foiled  in  her  plan.  This 
assuredly  was  not  the  ugly  old  crone  who  had  occasioned  them 
so  much  merriment  in  the  composition  of  the  love-letter. 
This  lovely  woman  before  him  was,  moreover,  evidently  deter 
mined  to  baffle  his  curiosity  in  every  particular.  There  was 
•but  one  course,  therefore,  for  him  to  pursue  in  the  matter  of  her 
identification.  He  must  be  patient,  and  carefully  note  every 
occurrence  at  Negauristan,  and  in  the  meantime  cautiously 
draw  out  from  Irene  the  secrets  of  the  palace. 

While  the  lovers  were  still  engrossed  in  the  sweet  intercourse 
of  a  new  and  ardent  passion,  their  conference  was  abruptly 
terminated  by  the  appearance  of  the  eunuch.  The  startling 
intelligence  was  communicated  by  the  watchful  slave  of  the 
unexpected  arrival  of  the  Shah.  There  was  manifest  trepida 
tion  on  every  side  at  the  advent  of  the  dread  sovereign  to  his 
summer  palace.  The  lovers  were  parted  instantly,  the  eunuch 
conducting  the  officer  hastily  back  to  his  apartments  adjoining 
the  "court  of  the  bath."  The  veiled  beauty  fled  precipitately 
away  through  an  avenue  of  willows,  and  was  seen  no  more. 
Negauristan  was  instantly  restored  to  its  rigorous  discipline. 
Intrigue  of  every  kind  assumed  a  double  veil. 


IRENE. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

JHE  excitements  of  the  unexpected  love  scene  in  the 
garden  had  proved  detrimental  to  the  nervous  system 
of   the  convalescent  officer.     Subject  as  he  was  to 
sudden  and  protracted  attacks  of  nervous  prostration, 
in  accordance  with  the  predictions  of  the  Ghebre,  the  intense 
strain  upon  his  brain  and  heart  occasioned  by  his  instantaneous 
precipitation  into  a  mad,  bewildering  passion,  had  caused  a 
tremor  to  pass  over  him,  even  while  he  sat  with  the  strange 
beauty  clasped  in  his  arms.     The  startling  advent  of  the  Shah, 
and  the  apprehensions  it  excited,  gave  the  coup  de  grdce  to  his 
failing  strength.     Upon  reaching  his  quarters  at  the  palace,  he 
swooned  in  the  arms  of  the  eunuch,  and  lay  for  hours  like 
one  dead.     When  he  revived  it  was  night,  and  the  moonbeams 
were  flooding  his  room  and  couch.     Through  the  open  win 
dows  the  ever  present  odors  of  the  gardens  were  stealing,  and 
the  faint  breeze  was  at  intervals  waving  the  rose  silk  draperies 
of  the  room  to  and  fro.     He  had  been  laid  by  his  faithful  at 
tendant  on  a  divan  in  the  octagonal  apartment  adjoining  the 
"  court  of  the  bath."     This  tall,  athletic  African,  with  his  red 
turban,  yellow  trousers  and  vest,  and  red  shawl  girdle,  stood 
near  the  Saracenic  arch  in  silent  watch,  with  his  steel  sabre 
glistening  in  the  moonlight.     The  officer  recognized  him  as  the 
eunuch  who  had  admitted  him  to  the  first  interview  with  Irene. 
At  the  instant  of  opening  his  eyes  upon  the  motionless  slave, 
Alfonso   was   conscious   of  something   pressing   lightly  upon 
his  forehead.     He  put  up  his  hand,  and  found  it  to  be  a  rose, 
which  had  been  placed  there  during  his  unconsciousness.     At 
the  same  time  he  discovered  a  female  kneeling  beside  his  divan, 
and  steadily  regarding  him  with  her  large,  lovely  eyes.     It  was 
the  intriguer  who  had  sent  him  on  the  garden  expedition  to  the 
aged  wife  of  the  Shah.     The  moment  the  officer  revived  she 
waved  her  hand  to  the    eunuch,  and  he  withdrew  into   the 
"  court  of  the  bath."     The  beautiful  girl  who  had  taken  such 
marked  interest  in  the  fate  of  the  Ghebre' s  protege,  was  regard 
ing  him  with  tender  interest.     When  she  realized,  however, 
that  he  was  fully  restored  to  consciousness,  she  arose  from  the 
carpet  upon  which  she  was  kneeling,  and  brought  to  him  his 
accustomed  beverage,  recommended  by  the   Ghebre  for    his 
use  after  every  relapse  into  the  fainting  fit.     He  gratefully  ac 


72  IRENE. 

cepted  her  services,  and  she  supported  his  head  while  he  drank. 
After  a  time  his  inclination  and  strength  to  converse  returned 
to  him,  and  his  first  thought  was  for  her  safety. 

"You  have  incurred  double  risk  this  time,  fair  Irene,  in  min 
istering  to  my  comfort.  You  must  be  in  great  peril  here. 
Where  is  the  Shah  ?  " 

"  Gone  to  the  Ark,  hours  ago ;  there  is  no  longer  danger 
from  that  source." 

"  And  where  is  the  Ark  ?  "  he  inquired. 

"  Inside  the  walls  of  Teheran.  It  is  sometimes  called  the 
citadel.  It  is  the  Shah's  residence  a  part  of  the  year,  when  he 
resides  in  his  capital  for  the  transaction  of  official  business." 

"  How  far  is  it  from  Negauristan  ?  "  he  inquired  again. 

"  Only  half  a  mile,"  she  said.  "  He  often  walks  out  here  to 
look  after  one  of  his  numerous  anderoons" 

"His  numerous  anderoons  I"  exclaimed  the  officer.  "How 
many  wives  has  the  Shah  ?  " 

"  Two  or  three  hundred,  at  least,"  she  replied.  "  You  know, 
of  course,  that  the  Koran  only  allows  four  wives,  properly  speak 
ing.  You  remember  the  words :  "  Take  in  marriage  of  such 
other  women  as  please  you,  two  or  three  or  four,  and  not 
more." 

"  The  Shah,  then,  gives  a  free  rendering  to  '  the  verse  sent 
down  from  heaven,'  "  he  said. 

"  Yes,  the  Shah  multiplies  the  four  by  a  hundred.  Generous 
natures  are  always  liberal."  She  uttered  these  words  bitterly  ; 
then  abruptly  turning  the  conversation,  she  added,  "  I  am  anx 
ious  to  know  your  experience  in  the  garden  with  Ayesha,  the 
Shah's  wife,  when  you  are  strong  enough  to  converse." 

"  I  was  very  successful,"  he  said. 

"  Did  she  unveil  ?  " 

"  No !  indeed,"  he  replied,  determined  to  disclose  no  more 
than  was  the  legitimate  intelligence  for  the  two  conspirators. 

"  I  knew  she  would  not,  Alfonso.  You  remember  I  told  you 
so.  She  is  too  anxious  to  keep  you  under  the  illusion  that  she 
is  beautiful." 

"  She  would  not  give  me  even  a  glimpse  of  her  face." 

Irene  laughed.     Then  she  asked,  — 

"  Did  she  listen  to  your  vows  of  eternal  constancy  ?  " 

"  Certainly  she  did ;  and  promised,  too,  that  some  day  I 
should  look  in  her  face,  if  only  I  proved  constant." 

"  Ha  !  ha  ! "  laughed  Irene  ;  "  she  will  not  lose  you  as  her 
lover  in  a  hurry  by  exposing  her  features  ;  though  some  day 


IRENE.  73 

her  vanity  may  be  wild  enough  even  to  test  your  judgment  on 
the  subject  of  beauty,  her  voice  and  grace  have  gone  so  far 
with  you." 

"  Her  hand  is  beautiful,"  said  the  officer. 

"  Yes,  that  is  her  only  remaining  attraction ;  it  is  soft  and 
white  as  a  girl's.  But  what  did  she  say  about  the  letter  ?  " 

"  She  declined  to  tell  me  who  gave  her  my  letter." 

"  Ayesha  is  true  to  the  honor  of  the  anderoon"  replied  Irene. 
"  I  knew  she  would  be  that.  No  woman  here  who  is  not  utterly 
vile  would  mention  the  name  of  the  one  who  brings  tidings  to 
her  of  her  lover.  The  messenger  as  surely  suffers  death  here 
as  the  principals.  Should  you  chance  by  accident  to  reveal  the 
name  of  the  letter-carrier  to  one  of  the  Shah's  spies,  my  head 
would  be  off.  Hence  Ayesha' s  reserve  with  even  the  writer  of 
the  letter.  Had  you  been  a  spy  counterfeiting  the  letter  writer, 
you  might  thus  have  gained  from  her  knowledge  that  would 
have  cost  me  my  head.  When  outside  love  steals  into  the  in- 
closure  of  the  anderoon,  a  woman  sacredly  refrains  from  whis 
pering  to  any  mortal  the  name  of  the  messenger." 

"  But  you  would  not  hesitate  to  tell  me  who  gave  Ayesha 
my  letter,  would  you  ?  "  inquired  the  officer. 

"  Not  when  I  gave  her  the  letter  myself,  as  I  certainly  did. 
I,  the  messenger,  may  risk  my  own  life  by  naming  myself,  if  I 
choose." 

"You  gave  my  letter,  then,  into  the  hands  of  the  Shah's 
wife  ?  " 

"  I  did,"  replied  Irene.  "  The  celestial  dog,  Al  Rakim,  guards 
letters  no  more  faithfully  than  I." 

The  mystery  of  his  interview  in  the  garden  deepened  at  this 
response.  Who  had  been  counterfeiting  Ayesha  ?  How  had 
the  mistress  of  his  heart  gained  possession  of  his  letter  ?  Why 
had  she  appropriated  its  terms  of  endearment  to  herself? 

"How  old  do  you  think  Ayesha  is  ?"  he  inquired. 

"  Half  a  century  at  least.  But  why  do  you  ask  ?  Do  you 
meditate  the  possibility  of  loving  that  old  woman  ?  Ha  !  ha ! 
that  would  be  a  strange  termination  of  our  intrigue." 

"  I  will  never  love  mortal  woman,"  he  said,  wondering  at 
the  eagerness  with  which  Irene  watched  for  his  reply. 

"  I  am  glad  of  that,"  she  said.  "  Make  Persia  your  mistress. 
Love  her  eagerly,  madly.  She  is  worthy  of  all  your  love. 
Make  the  great  heart  of  this  lovely  empire  your  own.  Thrill 
my  people  with  your  splendor.  Love  them,  fight  for  them. 
Make  your  name  among  them  the  synonym  of  all  that  is  pure, 


74  IRENE. 

heroic,  noble,  self-sacrificing ;  and  your  fate  will  be  happier 
than  any  woman  can  make  it.  Be  a  second  Cyrus.  He  started 
in  a  secluded  mountain  region  like  you,  and  by  his  good  sword 
cut  his  way  to  power,  and  founded  an  empire  which  has  made  its 
indelible  stamp  upon  the  ages.  Ah  !  I  have  stood  beside  his 
marble  tomb  at  Mourg-Aub.  Go  visit  it,  still  surviving  the 
wanton  hand  of  ages,  and  see  if  you  are  not  inspired  to  be 
something  great,  noble,  heroic.  Be  not  like  these  Khans  of 
Persia,  finished  voluptuaries,  unmindful  of  the  glory  of  their  na 
tive  hind  where  heroes  have  worn  the  diadem  ;  but  strong  and 
self-denying,  assert  the  loftiest  manhood,  and  carve  an  honor 
able  name  high  on  fame's  arch.  Yes,  you  are  right.  Love  no 
mistress  but  my  Persia." 

Her  intellectual  expression,  her  striking  beauty,  and  her  elo 
quent  tongue,  fired  with  all  the  ardor  of  her  clime  and  country, 
aroused  wonderful  sympathy  in  his  heroic  heart.  He  attempted 
to  rise,  but  she  forbade  him. 

"  Forgive  me,"  she  said,  "  for  my  thoughtless  enthusiasm  on 
that  subject,  old,  yet  ever  new  —  my  native  land  and  its 
heroes.  You  are  too  weak.  Forgive  me.  Now  tell  me  what 
promise  you  extorted  from  Ayesha.  That  isthe  point  of  all  this 
intrigue.  What  is  she  going  to  do  for  you  in  the  army  ?  " 

"I  told  her  I  had  conceived  the  project  of  entering  the 
country  of  the  Turcomans,  and  striking  terror  among  the  mar 
auders." 

"  Well,  what  then  ?  " 

"  Ay esha  assured  me  of  her  power  to  aid  me  in  securing  the 
command  of  the  expedition." 

"That  she  had  influence  enough  to  further  your  advancement, 
I  told  you." 

"She  promised  me,  moreover,  that  I  should  be  appointed 
soon  to  that  command.  She  spoke  confidently." 

"  Then  it  will  be  done,  rest  assured.  May  Allah  give  you 
strength  speedily  to  take  the  field  !  " 

"  Then  you  feel  confident  of  Ayesha's  power  to  influence  the 
Shah  ?  " 

"  I  know  it,  Alfonso.  He  refuses  her  nothing.  She  has  se 
cured  some  of  the  most  lucrative  offices  in  the  government  for 
her  relatives." 

"  If  I  am  advanced  in  the  army,  I  shall  owe  it  to  your  supe 
rior  wit,  and  knowledge  of  character." 

"  That  is  the  very  reason,"  she  replied,  "  why  the  Ghebre 
put  you  under  my  tuition  ;  that  you  might  learn  to  divest  your- 


IRENE.  75 

self  of  all  sentiments  except  those  that  conduce  to  your  ad 
vancement  and  the  interest  of  Persia.  The  Ghebre  and  my 
self  will  look  after  your  promotions  from  time  to  time,  and  give 
you  suggestions  as  to  the  secret  of  court  influence.  Your 
especial  part  will  be  to  satisfy  the  people,  by  your  fighting  quali 
ties  and  by  your  successes,  that  your  promotions  are  merited. 
Do  you  know  who  left  that  rose  upon  your  forehead  ?  " 

"  I  fancied  it  was  your  gift,"  he  said. 

"  No  ;  I  had  nothing  to  do  with  it.  It  was  the  Shah  himself. 
The  slave  says  he  bent  over  you  in  your  unconsciousness, 
kissed  your  forehead,  and  then  left  the  rose  upon  it." 

"  The  Shah  !  "  exclaimed  the  amazed  sarkardah. 

"  Yes,  the  Shah.  You  need  not  look  so  astonished.  The 
Shah  is  a  man  and  a  father.  You  saved  his  youngest  son  from 
a  terrible  captivity.  Had  you  not  scattered  his  captors  they 
would  have  tied  a  rope  around  his  neck,  tied  the  other  end  to 
the  tail  of  a  horse,  and  made  him  run  over  weary  miles  of  track 
less  sand  to  keep  up  with  the  cruel  pace  of  the  horse  on  his  way 
to  the  borders.  In  this  way  he  would  have  been  dragged 
across  the  entire  width  of  the  desert  of  Khorassan,  with  clouds 
of  dust  beating  into  his  eyes  and  nose.  The  prisoners  of  the 
Turcomans  often  die  on  the  way,  for  thus  are  they  all  treated." 

"And  the  Shah  has  gone  ?" 

"  Yes,  and  it  is  rumored  that  he  leaves  the  Ark  to  morrow 
night  for  the  camp  at  Sultania.  It  is  said  that  Abbas  Mirza  will 
leave  Tabreez,  his  own  capital,  and  come  down  to  Sultania  to 
meet  his  father." 

"  Have  you  ever  seen  the  Prince  Royal  ? "  inquired  the 
officer. 

"  Seen  Abbas  Mirza  !  "  exclaimed  the  girl  in  surprise.  "  Yes, 
I  have  seen  him  as  often  as  I  have  seen  the  sun,  and  he  is 
fully  as  glorious.  My  heart  feels  a  throb  of  exultation  when 
only  his  name  is  mentioned.  That  superb  being  is  the  pride 
and  the  hope  of  Persia.  When  he  comes  to  the  throne,  there 
will  be  wild  work  on  the  borders  of  the  Muscovites.  He  hates 
them  as  I  hate  them  and  as  the  Ghebre  hates  them." 

The  girl  was  thoroughly  aroused  by  the  theme.  The  listener 
had  never  seen  her  manifest  such  enthusiasm. 

"  That  image  haunts  me,"  she  continued.  "  I  can  never 
despair  of  the  glory  of  Iran  while  Abbas  Mirza  lives.  Oh !  he 
is  so  great,  so  noble,  so  possessed  of  every  virtue  and  trait 
that  becomes  a  prince.  He  is  the  greatest  thinker  in  the 
realm,  except  Zenayi." 


76  IRENE. 

"  Describe  him  to  me,  Irene,"  said  the  officer,  whose  imagi 
nation  had  been  often  excited  by  the  comments  of  the  people 
upon  their  great  favorite. 

••  1  Ascribe  him  !  "  she  said,  fervently.  "  I  might  as  well  at 
tempt  to  describe  the  morning  sun.  He  comes  like  a  great, 
proud  demi-god  of  fearlessness  and  goodness  upon  every  town 
in  this  land.  The  people  go  wild  over  him  wherever  he  rides. 
The  women  hold  up  their  boys  to  him,  and  cry  from  under  their 
veils,  '  Here  are  your  future  soldiers  for  the  Muscovites.'  Every 
child  knows  how  he  hates  those  northern  bears,  and  how  he 
loves  the  Persian  people.  When  he  comes  to  the  throne,  the 
sleepers  will  wake  up." 

"  But  tell  me  how  he  looks,  how  he  rides,"  said  the  sarkar- 
dah,  raising  himself  upon  his  elbow,  and  steadily  regarding  her. 

"He has  barely  passed  the  age  of  thirty.  His  countenance  is 
noble ;  his  complexion  fair  as  the  Georgian  blood  in  his  veins 
can  make  it.  His  eyes  are  dark,  and  beaming  with  intelli 
gence  ;  his  nose  aquiline  ;  his  pointed  beard  heavy  and  long, 
and  like  his  finely  formed  eyebrows,  of  a  jet-black  hue.  He  is 
a  hardy  soldier,  a  superb  horseman,  and  equal  to  any  fatigue  that 
a  common  soldier  can  endure.  He  is  a  thoughtful  statesman, 
and  his  garb  on  horseback,  though  rich  and  tasteful,  is  far  from 
equalling  in  magnificence  that  of  his  illustrious  Khans,  some  of 
whom  are  indeed  worthy  of  his  regard.  Do  you  see  him  from 
my  poor  picture  of  him  ?  I  cannot  describe  him  ;  you  must  see 
him." 

"  Is  he  affable  ?  "  inquired  the  officer. 

"  Yes,"  she  said,  "  to  all  worthy  men.  At  his  court,  the 
mendicant  and  the  prince  are  alike  welcome." 

"  Has  he  a  fine  command  of  language  —  lucid  and  power 
ful  expression?" 

"  Remarkably  so.  He  is  eloquent  when  aroused.  But  reared 
in  the  school  of  absolute  and  uncompromising  obedience,  he 
has  habituated  himself  to  wonderful  self-control." 

"  Zenayi  tells  me,"  said  the  officer,  "  that  he  has  displayed 
the  most  consummate  ability  in  debate  in  the  councils  of  the 
Shah." 

"So  it  is  reported,"  she  replied  ;  "but  they  say  there  was 
nothing  oracular,  magisterial,  or  dictatorial  about  him." 

"What  is  the  best  avenue  \A  approach  to  him?"  inquired 
Alfonso.  "  How  shall  I  proceed  to  gain  his  favor  ?" 

"  Convince  him  of  your  superior  soldierly  qualities.  Let 
him  know  that  you  detect  and  lament  the  apathy  of  the  Persian 


IRENE.  77 

nobility  regarding  the  Honor  of  their  country  ;  that  you  depre 
cate  this  decay  in  the  national  spirit  of  Persia,  and  this  extinc 
tion  of  her  military  courage.  He  will  listen  to  you.  You  will 
be  in  communication  with  him  some  day  —  you  are  in  the  line 
of  advancement  now.  Be  bold,  maintain  rigid  discipline  in 
your  regiment,  and  fight  like  a  deev  when  you  have  the  oppor 
tunity.  Every  step  in  advance  now  is  a  longer  and  bolder 
stride  than  the  preceding  one.  But  your  achievements  must 
in  every  instance  be  proportionate  to  your  rank.  You  must 
not  only  dazzle  the  multitude  ;  you  must  also  win  the  ad 
miration  and  good-will  of  the  military  commanders,  who  are 
keen-eyed  to  detect  real  merit,  and  who  will  admit  its  existence, 
and  use  it  for  their  own  glory.  Be  cautious  not  to  exhibit  to 
them  too  great  anxiety  to  be  advanced.  But  appear  to  be 
zealous,  and  devoted  to  their  personal  interests.  Thus  they 
will  allow  you  driblets  of  glory,  and  before  they  know  it,  you 
will  have  slipped  quickly  into  a  position  where  you  will  not  need 
their  influence.  But  maintain  courtesy  ever,  with  high  and  low  ; 
for  men  are  more  easily  caught  with  honey  than  with  vinegar. 
You  have  seen  already,  in  the  case  of  Ayesha,  how  it  is  with 
women." 

"  I  have  not  seen  her  influence  yet,"  he  quietly  remarked. 
"  I  would  trust  sooner  to  your  eloquent  tongue  and  marvellous 
intellectual  powers  to  move  princes." 

The  adroit  are  rarely  invulnerable  to  their  own  weapons  when 
employed  skilfully  against  themselves.  The  lovely  eyes  of  the 
girl  brightened  with  pleasure.  She  valued  a  compliment  from 
one  whose  eyes  fairly  blazed  intellect. 

"  Zenayi  told  me  you  would  respect  me." 

"  Respect  you  !  I  admired  you  from  the  first  instant  of  our 
intercourse.  And  when  I  fell  wounded  from  my  horse,  and  my 
consciousness  was  ebbing  away,  my  last  thought  was  of  you, 
and  your  helpless  condition  in  the  village.  Great  Allah  !  how 
bitter  was  my  reflection,  when  I  thought  the  angel  of  death  had 
me  fast,  and  I  could  not  rescue  you  from  those  fierce  devils 
who  were  falling  back  upon  the  village." 

"  And  you  thought  of  me  then  ?  "  she  asked,  with  a  scarcely 
perceptible  tremor  in  her  voice. 

"  I  thought  of  nothing  else,"  he  said  firmly. 

"  And  I  only  a  girl,  and  a  stranger  ?  " 

"  Say  rather  a  woman  in  the  realm  of  lovely  faces  and  empty 
heads  —  an  eagle  among  butterflies." 

The  sarkardah  pronounced  these  words  too  vehemently  to 


78  IRENE. 

leave  the  slightest  doubt  of  his  sincerity.  He  indeed  gave  her 
the  generous  allowance  which  brain  yields  to  brain.  He  ap- 
iied  her. 

Their  conference  was  interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  the 
eunuch.  The  slave  had  been  entrusted  with  a  package  to  de 
liver  to  the  officer  when  he  should  recover  from  the  fainting 
fit.  Deeming  the  moment  favorable  for  the  presentation  of  the 
paper,  he  advanced,  and  gave  it  into  the  hand  of  Alfonso. 
Immediately  upon  the  slave's  withdrawal  the  officer  desired  the 
girl  to  examine  its  contents,  as  his  strength  was  again  giving 
out.  Irene  opened  the  paper,  and  uttered  an  exclamation. 

'•  What  is  it  ?  "  he  inquired.   ."  Who  sent  it  ?  " 

"  The  Shah." 

"  You  cannot  mean  it,  Irene  —  the  Shah  ?  " 

"Yes.  Futteh  Ali  Shah.  This  is  his  own  handwriting,"  she 
said,  as  she  glanced  down  the  page.  "  It  is  all  right.  This  is 
more  rapid  work  than  usual.  Ayesha  has  been  prompt,  and 
here  you  are  designated  as  commander  of  the  Turcoman  expe 
dition." 

"Already!  I  must  be  dreaming,"  exclaimed  the  sarkardah, 
pressing  his  hands  to  his  throbbing  temples. 

"This  is  no  dream,"  continued  the  girl,  still  determined  to 
finish  the  perusal  of  the  royal  document  before  she  laid  it  down. 
"  Here  you  are  empowered  by  the  Shah  to  select  from  the 
goofams  five  thousand  horsemen,  and  to  remove  them  to  a 
separate  camp,  to  be  chosen  by  yourself,  in  any  part  of  the 
province  of  Fars.  The  officers  are  to  be  designated  by  you, 
and  the  commissaries,  and  quartermasters  of  the  army  are 
instructed  to  furnish  you  with  every  needed  supply  for  the  en 
campment.  And  here  you  are  ordered  to  introduce  in  the 
camp  the  most  rigid  system  of  discipline,  and  to  familiarize  the 
troops  with  every  desirable  evolution  in  the  science  of  cavalry 
warfare." 

The  prostrate  soldier  was  all  eagerness. 

"  And  what  limit  is  prescribed  to  the  duration  of  the  encamp 
ment  ? "  he  inquired. 

"  None  at  all.     Your  discretion  is  to  be  the  guide." 

"  And  what  then  ?  "  he  said. 

"  Then  you  are  to  observe  the  utmost  secrecy  as  to  your 
designs  and  line  of  march,  which  must  have  for  their  ultimate 
object  the  devastation  of  the  Turcoman  country  and  the  chas 
tisement  of  the  insolence  of  their  plundering  bands  in  the  late 
alliance  with  the  Bakhtiaris.  You  are  to  fall  upon  their  terri- 


IRENE.  79 

tory  with  the  suddenness  of  the  thunderbolt,  and  bring  away 
with  you  whatever  you  can  lay  your  hands  on." 

"  And  you  believe  that  Ayesha's  influence  with  the  Shah  has 
effected  all  this  ?  "  inquired  the  officer. 

'•  Most  assuredly  I  do.  I  gave  her  your  letter,  and  she 
promised  you  in  the  garden  to  secure  it  for  you.  The  Shah 
was  closeted  with  her  during  the  two  brief  hours  of  his  visit  to 
the  anderoon,  and  then  she  solicited  the  command  for  you, 
without  doubt.  Every  one  here  knows  that  you  saved  the 
Shah's  son,  and  Ayesha,  doubtless,  urged  some  extraordinary 
honor  for  you  in  consequence." 

"Well,"  responded  the  sarkardah,  "you  are  an  admirable 
schemer.  I  shall  follow  your  suggestions  hereafter,  make  love 
to  innumerable  old  women,  make  vows  of  eternal  constancy  to 
every  man  or  woman  you  select,  and  resign  myself  to  every 
conceivable  intrigue  that  may  be  propitious  to  my  fortunes.  If 
Eblis  makes  a  claim  upon  my  soul,  I  shall  expect  you  to  sat 
isfy  it." 

"  If  you  do  nothing  worse,"  she  said,  "  than  say  a  few  silly 
things  to  an  old  woman  who  ought  to  be  preparing  her  soul  for 
the  journey  over  Al  Sir&t,  I  will  undertake  to  adjust  with  Eblis 
his  claims  upon  you." 

The  eunuch  again  made  his  appearance,  and  intimated  that 
it  was  time  for  Irene  to  withdraw  into  the  women's  quarter  of 
the  palace.  The  hour  had  arrived  for  closing  the  gates  between 
the  private  garden  and  the  anderoon,  and  she  must  at  once 
retire,  or  suspicions  would  be  aroused.  Bidding  the  officer 
farewell,  she  obeyed  the  summons,  and  disappeared  across  the 
"  court  of  the  bath." 

After  Alfonso  had  retired,  with  the  slave's  assistance,  to  his 
sleeping  apartment,  he  remained  awake  for  a  long  time,  looking 
out  upon  the  gardens,  revelling  in  the  moonlight,  and  dreaming 
of  the  lovely  stranger  who  had,  a  few  hours  before,  clung  to 
him  with  apparently  a  girl's  fondness  and  ardor,  developed  by 
his  utterance  of  eternal  vows.  Who  was  his  veiled  companion 
of  the  grotto  ?  Who  had  secured  him  the  military  command  ? 
He  knew  no  woman  of  fifty  had  won  his  love.  Ayesha  and  his 
charming  mistress  were  not  identical.  How  were  they  con 
nected  ? 


80  IRENE. 


CHAPTER  X. 

JWO  men  were  stretched  at  ease  upon  the  grass 
beneath  the  shade  of  a  group  of  lofty  chimlr  trees. 
The  white  dress  of  one  indicated  that  he  was  a  priest 
of  the  ancient  religion  of  Zoroaster  The  other  was 
an  officer  of  cavalry,  beautiful  as  Alexis,  but  apparently  indiffer 
ent  as  to  his  personal  appearance,  having  little  to  distinguish 
him  from  the  common  soldier  but  a  richly  jewelled  sabre.  The 
smoke  from  his  caleeoon  curled  lazily  away  upon  the  mild 
atmosphere  of  Southern  Persia,  and  his  whole  bearing  was  in 
keeping  with  the  luxurious  repose  of  the  tropical  day.  The 
intolerable  mid-day  heat  was  still  hours  ahead,  and  the  two 
companions,  though  so  apparently  at  their  ease,  were  neverthe 
less  carefully  inspecting  the  military  evolutions  going  on  below 
them,  and  exchanging  remarks  upon  the  spirited  scene.  A  large 
body  of  horse  were  in  full  view,  executing  their  graceful 
movements  upon  an  unobstructed  field  of  two  miles  in  extent. 
The  whole  scene,  as  witnessed  from  the  commanding  posi 
tion  at  the  group  of  chindr  trees,  was  strikingly  grand  and 
beautiful.  The  eye  ranged  over  an  amphitheatre  of  many 
miles,  hemmed  in  by  distant  mountains  of  bare,  verdureless 
gray  rocks.  An  immense  sweep  of  dark -green  grass,  occasion 
ally  broken  by  groups  of  cypresses  and  flowering  shrubs,  led 
the  eye  on  to  the  distant  and  naked  mountains,  and  through 
the  wide-reaching  verdure  a  small  river  held  its  tortuous  way 
and  glistened  in  the  sun.  Far  away  to  the  right,  on  gently  un 
dulating  ground  the  tents  of  the  cavalry  stood  like  tiny  marble 
pyramids  in  the  grass,  and  above  the  larger  pavilion  of  the 
commander  floated  the  blue  banner  on  which  was  blazoned 
the  lion  and  the  sun.  Behind  the  officer  and  his  companion 
ragged  and  verdureless  cliffs  of  dark  rocks  rose  to  an  arna/ing 
altitude,  and  upon  one  of  them  stood  the  ruins  of  an  ancient 
castle.  This  range  of  cliffs  extended  far  to  the  north  and 
south  on  cither  hand.  In  advance  of  this  mountain  range,  and 
on  the  left,  arose  abruptly  from  the  plain  another  range  of 
barren  cliffs,  holding  its  way  northward  and  parallel  to  the  first 
range,  and  formed  with  it  a  lovely  valley  rich  in  foliage,  con 
trasting  strangely  with  its  lofty,  adamantine,  naked  barriers. 
The  eye  ranging  down  this  valley  detected,  less  than  half  a  mile 
away,  white-marble  ruins  scattered  here  and  there  amid  the 


IRENE,  8 1 

grass,  as  of  ancient  temples  or  palaces.  Groups  of  hewn 
blocks,  isolated  pillars,  and  lofty  terraces  of  marble  rising  to  a 
level  with  some  of  the  lower  gray-stone  cliffs,  attracted  instant 
notice.  Civilization  of  a  higher  order  had  in  the  long-gone 
ages  made  its  mark  in  this  luxuriant  wilderness.  What  people 
had  reared  halls  and  temples  of  chaste  marble,  then  passed  away 
and  been  forgotten  ? 

But  from  the  front  the  views  of  nature  and  of  moving  art 
were  multiform.  Squadrons  of  fiery  steeds  crossed  and  re- 
crossed  the  plain,  now  sweeping  round  in  long  ,and  graceful 
curves,  now  forming  into  line  and  again  closing  into  solid 
column,  till  the  spear-heads  of  the  dark-eyed  riders  glistened  in 
the  sunlight  like  one  single  sheet  of  steel  above  them.  Then, 
again,  they  broke  into  regiments,  and  charged  at  full  speed 
across  the  grass,  the  sun  flashing  upon  the  silver  and  gold 
trappings  of  the  horses  dashing  on  in  all  the  fiery  impetuosity 
of  their  Asiatic  blood.  After  watching  the  various  evolutions 
for  a  time,  the  young  officer  saw  a  regiment  of  lancers  halt,  and 
one-half  the  men  dismount  and  place  their  lances  in  the  left 
stirrup  boots  of  the  men  who  remained  mounted.  This  man 
oeuvre,  seldom  necessary,  and  then  executed  for  the  purpose  of 
holding  or  carrying  some  post,  was  performed  with  manifest 
confusion.  The  officer  arose  from  his  comfortable  position, 
laid  aside  his  caleeoon,  and  called  to  a  mounted  sarjaukas  who 
was  near  at  hand,  and  engaged  in  holding  the  commander's 
war-horse.  The  fiery  courser  of  Khorassan  was  brought 
forward  by  the  corporal,  and  looked  as  wildly  beautiful  and 
spirited  as  when  he  carried  his  young  master  across  the  fear 
ful  chasm  "  Mclek  al  mowt  dereh."  The  officer  mounted  the 
chestnut-colored  beaut}',  and  promising  the  Ghebre  to  return 
after  the  drill  was  over,  dashed  down  the  slope  to  the  plain  to 
instruct  his  lancers  in  their  duty. 

The  white-robed  follower  of  the  " Bactrian  sage"  watched 
his  protege  as  he  dashed  along  the  line  of  his  bright-robed  and 
sunburnt  Asiatics,  and  then  halting  before  the  inexpert  regiment 
of  lancers,  promptly  and  skilfully  taught  them  precision  in 
their  novel  movement  of  transferring  their  lances.  He  saw 
theni  again  and  again  repeat  the  evolution  until  skill  and  rap 
idity  had  taken  the  place  of  awkward  confusion.  Then,  with 
kindling  eye  the  white-bearded  sage  heard  his  trumpet-voiced 
pupil  issue  his  clear  and  forcible  orders,  wheeling  regiments 
into  line  and  line  into  column,  and  then  leading  them  in  a 
terrific  charge  over  the  country,  seeking  out  the  rugged  and 

4* 


82  IRENE. 

broken  ground  that  intervened  between  the  river  and  the 
level  plain  of  their  daily  parade.  To  the  natural  ease  and  grace 
of  horsemen  trained  to  the  saddle  from  infancy,  they  now  added 
the  skill  and  power  for  complicated  movements  that  fitted 
them  for  every  emergency  of  changeful  battle.  Their  com 
mander  had  neglected  nothing  calculated  to  bring  them  to  the 
highest  degree  of  efficiency  in  the  field.  Gifted  by  nature  with 
a  robust  frame,  indefatigable  in  exertion,  and  of  unconquer 
able  resolution,  he  had  been  occupied  on  horseback  night  and 
day  in  looking  after  their  wants,  perfecting  their  equipments, 
and  familiarising  them  with  sudden  and  unexpected  calls  to 
arms  and  to  the  saddle.  He  had  succeeded  in  infusing  his  own 
energetic  and  vigilant  spirit  into  his  officers,  until  they  had 
come  to  regard  him  as  one  who  was  preparing  them  for  some 
great  and  secret  service,  where  each  of  them  was  sure  of  mak 
ing  his  military  fortune.  Indeed,  he  had  hinted  to  them  that 
they  were  on  the  verge  of  great  events,  and  that  the  Shah 
himself  had  expressed  remarkable  interest  in  each  one  of  them. 
By  nature  an  orator  of  decided  power,  he  had  impressed  them 
with  a  sense  of  their  own  dignity  and  their  exalted  destiny. 
The  rank  and  file,  too,  were  under  the  magnetic  influence  of  his 
vitality  and  zeal,  and  were  ready  to  follow  him  with  eagerness 
on  the  mysterious  expedition,  the  rumor  of  which  had  passed 
through  the  camps.  They  realized  at  last  that  his  discipline 
was  inevitable,  and  his  care  for  their  individual  comfort  when  off 
duty  incessant.  Their  enthusiasm  was  aroused  for  the  skilful 
leader,  who  dashed  off  at  the  head  of  their  column  at  such  a 
headlong  pace,  that  they  named  his  charger  Al  Borak,  after  the 
famous  celestial  steed  of  their  Prophet.  With  ready  tafll  he 
adopted  the  suggestion,  and  his  impetuous  steed  ever  after  bore 
that  appellation. 

Farther  and  farther  away  over  the  plain  sped  the  wild  riders 
until  they  reached  the  distant  river,  into  which  they  plunged, 
and  fording  it  with  ease,  rose  to  the  opposite  bank,  and  then 
dashed  on  again  towards  the  Eastern  mountains.  Soon  their 
onward  sweep  was  known  only  by  the  far-off  glitter  of  their 
spear-heads,  and  then  they  seemed  to  sink  into  and  blend  with 
the  plain.  When  they  had  vanished  in  distance,  the  Ghebre 
said  aloud,  — 

"  Ormuzd  be  praised !  my  hope  is  realized.  The  stars  have 
sent  me  a  great  commander." 

This  mysterious  being  sat  then  for  a  long  time  buried  in 
reverie.  Some  subject  of  reflection  occasioned  him  great 


IRENE.  83 

uneasiness,  fqr.at  times  he  muttered  and   shook  his  head   in 
doubt. 

"  He  is  young,"  he  said,  "  and  the  knowledge  might  ruin  him. 
It  might  destroy  a  great  incentive  to  exertion.  Ambition 
might  be  paralyzed." 

Whatever  conclusion  the  sage  might  have  reached  regarding 
the  propriety  of  clothing  his  protege  with  the  mysterious  knowl 
edge,  his  doubts  were  forgotten  in  the  excitement,  of  an  unex 
pected  arrival.  A  band  of  some  thirty  wild-looking  but 
admirable  horsemen  dashed  rapidly  up  from  the  south,  and 
without  a  moment's  hesitation  invaded  the  defenceless  camp, 
and  commenced  an  indiscriminate  plunder  of  everything  they 
could  lay  their  hands  upon.  They  were  a  party  of  wandering 
Eelauts  —  a  tribe  of  people  similar  in  habits  to  the  nomadic 
tribes  of  Arabia  and  Tartary,  and  who  nominally  owe  allegiance 
to  the  Persian  monarch,  but  are  really  the  scourge  of  the 
defenceless  travellers  and  villagers  of  the  Empire.  At  sight 
of  this  startling  episode  the  Ghebre  manifested  the  natural  ire 
of  honesty  at  the  unchecked  depredations  of  cowardly  theft. 
But  the  first  ebullition  of  his  wrath  having  subsided,  he  was 
attacked  by  a  fit  of  inordinate  laughter  at  the  absurdity  of  the 
scene. 

"  I  will  laugh  my  young  commander  into  a  fury,"  he  said, 
"when  he  returns." 

But  his  merriment  and  depreciation  of  the  military  prudence 
of  the  young  general  were  short-lived.  For  a  party  of  cavalry 
under  command  of  a  naib,  who  had  been  concealed  in  a  gorge 
of  the  mountain  for  precisely  such  contingencies,  were  spurring 
on  like  deevs  for  the  marauders.  Before  the  Eelauts  could  dis 
engage  themselves  from  the  camps,  the  cavalry  were  upon 
them,  and  after  a  brief  skirmish  shot  or  sabred  every  man  of 
them.  Their  bodies  were  flung  into  a  hole  and  covered  with 
earth  ;  and  their  horses  swelled  the  complement  of  asses  that 
were  allowed  by  the  army  regulations  to  each  company  of  cav 
alry  for  the  carriage  of  the  men's  kit.  After  witnessing  this 
speedy  act  of  vengeance,  the  Ghebre  said  to  himself,  — 

"  Always  on  the  alert,  and  reticent  regarding  his  plans  !  I 
have  misjudged  him  again.  He  will  surely  succeed  ! " 

Again  the  watcher  fell  into  a  reverie,  and  during  its  continu 
ance  the  morning  wore  away.  As  the  noontime  approached, 
when  the  Oriental  of  every  condition  in  life  resigns  himself  to 
repose  and  sleep,  on  account  of  the  overpowering  heat,  the 
great  body  of  horse  again  made  their  appearance.  They  had 


84 

made  a  grand  detour  to  the  northward  of  several  miles,  and 
\vcrc  now  returning  through  the  valley  by  squadrons.  Arriving 
on  the  plain  before  the  Ghebre,  they  were  formed  in  the  order 
of  review,  the  officers  received  their  instructions,  and  the  regi 
ments  were  dismissed  to  their  encampments.  The  commander 
rode  up  to  the  group  of  chindr  trees,  dismounted  from  his 
panting  steed,  and  surrendered  him  to  the  attendant  sarjaukas, 
who  rode  off  with  him  towards  the  encampment.  The  com 
mander  flung  himself  upon  the  grass  beside  the  Ghebre,  and 
commenced  to  devour  the  provisions  which  had  been  placed 
under  the  trees  for  their  comfort  by  the  sarjaukas  during  the 
absence  of  the  troops.  Water  from  a  limpid  spring  issuing 
from  the  rocks  behind  them  was  their  only  beverage. 

••  You  came  near  losing  your  dinner,  Alfonso,"  said  the 
Ghebre. 

"  How  so  ?  "  inquired  the  officer. 

"  The  Eelauts  have  been  visiting  your  camp.  While  your 
thoughts  were  occupied  with  glory,  they  were  attending  to 
more  sublunary  affairs." 

The  officer  looked  away  towards  the  mountain  gorge,  where 
he  had  stationed  his  naib.  Nothing  of  life  was  visible  in  that 
direction. 

"  I  can  tell  the  result  of  their  temerity,"  he  said,  "  within  a 
couple  of  men." 

"  Well,  try  your  power  of  telling  the  unknown ! "  said  the 
Ghebre. 

"  My  naib  routed  them  with  the  loss  of  a  man  or  two,  and 
of  the  Eelauts  two  may  have  escaped  by  the  superior  merit  of 
their  horses'  heels." 

"  No  ;  you  have  not  surmised  the  truth,"  replied  the  priest. 
"  Your  naib  is  a  better  officer  than  that.  With  excellent  judg 
ment,  he  allowed  them  to  get  fairly  at  their  work,  and  then 
was  upon  them  like  a  tiger.  With  twenty  men  lie  slew  thirty  ; 
and  one  alone  of  his  command  was  wounded.  Not  one  of  the 
Eelauts  escaped.  Their  horses  are  now  the  property  of  the 
Shah,  and  the  riders  are  under  the  ground." 

"  Did  you  witness  the  fight  ?  "  inquired  the  officer. 

"  I  did  ;  and  the  sarjaukas  brought  me  the  details." 

"  To-morrow,  then,"  said  the  commander,  "  I  will  make  that 
naib  a  sultdn  of  fifty  horse." 

"  You  will  do  wisely,"  said  the  Ghebre,  as  he  nibbled  away 
at  a  handful  of  Dalaki  dates.  After  the  noonday  repast  was 
concluded,  a  proposition  was  made  to  the  officer  which,  ob- 


IRENE,  85 

tained  his  immediate  assent.  It  was,  that  when  the  sun  had 
dipped  sufficiently  low  behind  the  rocky  range  to  their  left,  so 
that  a  shadow  would  be  flung  across  the  entire  valley,  the  two 
should  make  a  personal  inspection  of  the  marble  ruins,  which 
so  mysteriously  testified  to  the  decadence  of  an  ancient  people. 
The  Ghebre  assured  his  companion  that  the  marble  fragments 
were,  without  question,  the  sole  surviving  ruins  of  the  ancient 
temples  and  palaces  of  Pasargadoe.  The  site  for  the  present 
encampment  had  been  selected  by  the  officer  of  cavalry  at 
the  suggestion  of  Zenayi,  who  informed  him  that  it  was  the 
classic  ground  of  Persia.  Here  was  the  white  marble  tomb 
of  the  great  Cyrus  on  an  eminence,  and  known  to  the  ignorant 
natives  of  the  province  as  " Mesched  Madre-i-Sulieman." 
When  the  common  people  do  not  assign  to  the  devils  the 
construction  of  an  ancient  architectural  marvel,  they  are  in  the 
habit  of  ascribing  the  work  to  the  great  King  Solomon,  whose 
supernatural  fame  extends  over  the  Orient.  To  the  white 
marble  terrace  or  wall  in  sight  of  the  cavalry  encampment, 
rising  perpendicularly  against  the  cliff  to  a  height  of  thirty- 
eight  feet,  the  Ghebre  informed  the  officer  that  the  common 
people  attached  the  name  "  Tackt-i-Sulieman,"  or  the  throne 
of  Solomon.  In  this  valley,  known  by  the  modern  name 
of  Mourg-Aub,  the  astrologer  assured  his  pupil  once  stood  the 
sacred  city  of  Pasargadas,  founded  by  the  illustrious  Cyrus,  as 
a  memorial  of  his  nationaj  achievements.  Here  were  the 
colleges  of  the  Magi,  and  here  the  altars  of  their  religion, 
where  the  illustrious  conqueror  was  wont  to  celebrate  with 
pomp  the  rites  of  that  venerable  faith.  In  this  sacred  valley, 
his  tomb  had  wonderfully  outlived  the  ages  ;  only  the  inside 
ornaments  of  gold  and  the  purple  hangings  having  been  re 
moved  by  the  hands  of  the  military  spoilers. 

How  artfully  had  the  court-astrologer,  the  confidential  friend 
of  Abbas  Mirza,  and  the  correspondent  of  the  brilliant  Irene, 
worked  upon  the  ambition  and  the  imagination  of  the  young 
officer,  to  rouse  him  to  the  energy  and  activity  requisite  for 
lofty  achievements.  This  was  to  be  the  crowning  point  of  his 
intellectual  skill.  The  selection  of  this  encampment  on  the 
very  spot  rendered  memorable  by  the  tramp  of  the  great  con 
queror's  horses,  and  by  the  munificence  of  his  royal  soul,  was 
to  be  the  key  of  the  arch  of  inspiration  the  astrologer  would 
rear  in  the  young  soldier's  brain.  Here,  on  this  consecrated 
ground,  would  he  wring  from  that  intrepid  son  of  Mars  a 
thrilling  oath  that  he  would  be  true  to  Persia  —  true  to  her 


86  IRENE. 

honor,  true  to  her  military  glory.  How  keenly,  in  the  heart 
of  the  patriotic  Ghebre,  must  have  burnt  the  hate  of  the  Mus 
covite  !  How  earnestly  and  devotedly  must  his  aged  heart  have 
loved  his  native  land,  to  have  kept  alive  in  his  own  bosom  so 
long  this  eager  hope  and  yearning  towards  the  day  of  ven 
geance.  How  carefully,  wisely,  and  patiently  was  the  patriot 
training  up  all  his  forces,  princes,  women,  and  soldiers,  for  the 
great  day  of  reckoning  with  the  encroaching,  the  brutal,  and 
the  infamous  Russia,  the  Christian  fiend,  whose  tramp  has  ever 
been  upon  the  prostrate  faces  of  heroic  patriots. 

On  the  ground  hallowed  by  the  former  presence,  and  the 
monumental  remains  of  the  noble  Cyrus,  the  Ghebre  hoped 
and  believed  the  young  officer  would  breathe  in  inspiration. 
He  designed  to  introduce  to  the  commander  in  detail  the 
ruined  wonders  of  architecture,  and  to  decipher  for  him  the 
venerable  cuneiform  inscriptions  which  are  carved  in  the  marble. 
He  had  often  remarked  that  kindling  of  his  pupil's  eyes  when 
the  deeds  of  mighty  conquerors  were  related.  The  successes 
of  the  cavalry  officer  had  already  awakened  in  his  ardent  mind 
those  lofty  visions  of  ambition,  which  he  hoped  he  was  soon 
destined  to  realize.  The  theatre  of  glorious  achievement  was 
now  apparently  opening  before  him,  and  his  former  instructor 
proposed  to  aid  his  entrance  to  the  arena  of  enlarged  com 
mand,  by  a  revelation  of  a  marvellous  secret  which  would  tend 
to  quell  the  grosser  motives  of  his  ambition  and  fire  him  -for 
the  loftier  objects  of  a  soldier's  pursuit.  In  furtherance  of 
this  purpose  he  thus  addressed  the  friend  he  loved  so  well, 
beneath  the  shade  of  the  chindr  trees  : 

"  Alfonso,  I  believe  that  the  attachment  you  formed  for  me 
in  the  cave  by  the  Strait  of  Ormuz  was  the  friendship  of  a  noble 
and  true  heart.  Every  act,  every  word  of  yours  since  those 
happy  days  of  study  has  been  only  a  confirmation  of  your 
tender  regard  for  me.  You  have  consulted  my  wishes,  and 
paid  that  deference  to  my  age  and  experience,  which  ennobles 
your  own  heart  at  the  same  time  that  it  warms  mine.  It  is 
because  I  know  you  to  be  deserving  of  confidence,  that  I  pro 
pose  this  day  to  open  to  you  a  mystery  that  will  startle  you. 
Utit  as  it  is  calculated  to  advance  your  ambition  for  military 
distinction,  and  to  facilitate  your  attainment  of  your  high  pur 
poses,  I  am  desirous  that  you  shall  bind  yourself  to  me  by  a 
solemn  oath,  to  bury  in  your  bosom  the  secret  which  I  shall 
reveal  Swear  to  me,  then,  that  what  I  disclose  to  you  this 


IRENE.  87 

day  shall  never  be  employed  against  my  country  or  its  inter 
ests.  Swear  that  the  secret  shall  be  shared  with  no  mortal  but 
Zenayi,  and  swear  that  you  will  be  the  faithful  soldier  of  Persia 
when  she  needs  your  sword.  Give  me  the  assurance  of  this 
oath,  and  I  will  ere  long  convince  you  how  dear  you  are  to  my 
heart,  and  how  zealous  I  am  for  your  advancement." 

The  officer  looked  long  and  thoughtfully  at  his  mysterious 
friend,  before  he  replied.  It  was  impossible  at  times  to  divest 
himself  of  the  awe  which  the  Ghebre  occasioned.  The  mar 
vellous  learning  of  the  astrologer,  the  vague  rumors  he  had 
heard  in  the  army  concerning  him,  the  suspicion  among  all 
classes  that  there  was  something  supernatural  about  the  scholar, 
—  all  these  reflections  and  remembrances  crowded  upon  the 
officer's  mind  when  Zenayi  sought  to  bind  him  with  an  oath. 
Would  it  be  binding  himself  in  any  sense  to  supernatural  influ 
ences  ?  He  pondered  the  proposition  for  a  time,  and  then  as 
by  sudden  impulse  he  answered,  — 

"  Zenayi,  many  men  of  intelligence  fear  you  as  one  under 
the  influence  of  Eblis.  But  I  trust  you  as  my  father,  my  bene 
factor,  my  dearest  friend.  I  will  believe  in  your  integrity  and 
trust  you  with  my  fate  if  every  mortal  on  this  globe  deserts 
you.  Here  on  this  instant  I  swear  allegiance  to  you,  your  se 
crets,  and  your  country.  When  I  sleep  in  a  soldier's  grave  carve 
upon  the  headstone,  '  He  loved  Zenayi.'  " 

The  old  man  was  deeply  moved.  He  attempted  a  response, 
but  his  quivering  lips  would  not  utter  a  word.  He  calmed  his 
emotion  after  a  time  and  said,  — 

"  Now  nothing  but  death  can  part  us.  Alfonso,  I  am  the 
owner  of  three  secrets.  The  first  you  will  soon  share,  the  se 
cond  is  more  profound,  and  it  may  be  your  lot  in  after-times  to 
share  that  too.  But  the  third  is  of  ineffable  loveliness,  some 
thing  that  your  imagination  will  never  conjure  up,  and  were  the 
Shah  of  Persia  to  offer  you  his  realm  in  exchange  for  it  you 
would  laugh  him  to  scorn.  It  may  be  that  fortune  has  this 
third  mystery  in  reserve  for  you.  But  inasmuch  as  the  posses 
sion  of  this  secret  involves  a  degree  of  purity  of  life  to  which  few 
men  attain,  and  a  self-sacrifice  to  which  few  are  equal,  you  must 
look  forward  to  the  disclosure  of  it  from  my  lips  with  as  little 
hope  as  you  do  to  the  day  when  you  shall  fly  through  space  with 
wings.  The  first  mystery  will  be  yours  before  another  sun  shall 
rise.  Sleep  now,  and  take  your  rest  during  the  heat  of  the  day. 
When  yonder  mountain  flings  her  shadow  over  the  vale  of 


88  IRENE. 

Mourg-Aub  we  must  spring  to  our  feet,  for  we  have  many  weary 
steps  before  us." 

In  a  few  moments  the  two  were  sleeping  quietly  under  the 
shade  of  the  chindr  trees. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

|F  the  reader  will  bear  in  mind  the  following  accurate 
sketch  of  the  ruins  at  Mourg-Aub,  in  Persia,  he  will 
better  appreciate  the  influence  of  locality  which  the 
Ghebre  brought  to  bear  upon  the  ardent  soul  of  the 
young  commander.  He  will  also  realize  more  perfectly  the 
astounding  mystery  which  Zenayi  revealed  to  the  bewildered 
gaze  of  the  soldier,  and  which  that  astrologer  had  designated  as 
the  first  of  his  three  great  secrets.  The  valley  and  ruins  of 
Mourg-Aub  are  thus  described  by  a  famous  English  traveller  : 

"  On  mounting  my  horse  this  morning  for  my  excursion,  I 
took  a  direction  down  the  valley  for  about  four  miles  ;  when 
quitting  the  road  and  turning  to  the  right  my  attention  was 
arrested  by  a  view  of  the  first  grand  object  amongst  these  ruins. 
It  is  not  far  from  the  road.  The  natives  have  given  it  the  name 
of  '  Tackt-i-Sulieman,'  or  the  throne  of  Sulieman.  It  appears 
to  have  been  the  platform  of  a  building,  and  consists  of  a  mass 
of  hewn  stones  raised  nearly  to  a  level  with  the  summit  of  a 
rocky  hill  to  whose  side  it  adheres.  The  materials  are  of  white 
marble,  put  together  with  a  labor  and  nicety  scarcely  to  be  sup 
posed.  Every  stone  is  carefully  clamped  to  its  neighbor  on 
their  upper  horizontal  surface,  and  at  a  small  distance  from  die 
perpendicular  face.  The  great  front  looks  to  the  north-west, 
and  measures  in  length  about  300  feet ;  its  sides  from  the  front 
to  where  they  touch  the  hill  298  feet.  At  the  distance  of  72 
feet  is  a  retiring  right  angle  of  54  feet,  which,  after  running 
again  in  a  direct  line  of  168  feet,  forms  a  corresponding  face  to 
the  opposite  angle  of  72  feet ;  leaving  48  feet  to  complete  the 
whole  of  the  northern  and  southern  faces.  The  height  of  the 
great  front  is  38  feet  6  inches,  formed  of  fourteen  blocks  of 
marble,  all  of  the  same  thickness,  namely,  2  feet  9  inches. 
Their  lengths  vary  from  7,  14,  13,  to  19  inches.  They  are 


IRENE.  89 

beautifully  chiselled,  and  have  a  rough  surface  over  each  about 
an  inch  from  their  edges.  Their  breadth  also  is  variable  —  from 
3,  4,  to  5  feet.  This  imperishable  casing-structure  has  been 
filled  up  to  form  a  level  at  the  top  with  different-sized  pieces  of 
the  native  rock,  a  dark  limestone.  The  marble  must  have  been 
brought  from  some  considerable  distance  ;  the  nearest  I  could 
hear  of  is  that  of  the  mountains  of  Yezd.  I  remarked  on  every 
block  a  peculiar  figure,  probably  to  guide  their  situations  on 
the  spot  of  erection  ;  a  proof  the  stones  were  adapted  for 
their  places  at  the  quarry.  Great  depredations  have  been  made 
on  this  and  all  the  otljer  ancient  buildings  of  the  plain  by  the 
rapacity  o/  the  natives  of  some  former  period  tearing  away  the 
masonry  to  obtain  the  iron  by  which  it  was  bound.  The  top 
of  the  platform  is  now  strewed  over  with  fragments  of  the  hill, 
and  very  much  sunk  in  the  centre.  I  found  no  trace  of  columns, 
and  not  even  the  smallest  bit  of  broken  marble.  What  may 
have  stood  there,  whether  palace,  temple,  or  fortress,  it  might 
be  difficult  to  conjecture. 

"  The  hill  unquestionably  commands  the  entrance  to  the  val 
ley  or  rather  plain  of  Mourg-Aub,  now  received  to  be  that  of 
Pasargadae ;  but  the  strong  natural  barriers  which  the  moun 
tains  present  to  the  south  and  to  the  north  render  additional  walls 
unnecessary.  Nevertheless  Pliny  calls  this  spot  '  the  Castle  of 
Pasargadae,  occupied  by  the  Magi,  and  wherein  is  the  tomb  of 
Cyrus.'  The  city  of  Pasargadas  may,  therefore,  rather  be  con 
sidered  a  holy  city,  consecrated  to  the  colleges  of  the  Magi  and 
the  officers  of  religion,  than  as  a  stationary  royal  residence. 
And  nothing  can  be  more  probable,  since  it  was  built  by  Cyrus 
to  commemorate  the  great  victories  which  made  him  king,  than 
vhat  he  should  consecrate  it  to  the  gods.  Cyrus,  according  to 
Xenophon,  made  seven  visits  into  Persia  proper,  his  original 
kingdom,  after  his  accession  to  the  vast  empire  to  which  he 
gave  its  name  ;  and  although  that  historian  does  not  specify  the 
particular  ;:lace  in  his  paternal  land  whither  he  went  to  perform 
his  accustomed  religious  duties,  yet  as  he  was  the  founder  of 
Pasargadae  avowedly  as  a  memorial  of  his  achievements,  what 
can  we  more  naturally  suppose  than  that  Pasargad^  would  be 
the  scene  of  such  rites-?  The  idea  seems  to  be  corroborated 
by  the  fact  that  it  was  long  the  custom  with  his  successors,  on 
their  accession  to  the  throne,  not  only  to  receive  here  the  usual 
insignia  of  government,  but  attended  by  their  nobles  and  priests, 
to  make  the  most  solemn  sacrifices  on  the  summit  of  the  moun 
tain.  Why,  therefore,  may  we  not  consider  this  immense  plat- 


90  IRENE. 

form  (evidently  raised  to  enlarge  that  of  the  hill)  the  spot  on 
which  the  altar,  priests,  and  royal  party  stood  during  the  awful 
ceremonies  of  their  religious  convocation  ? 

"  I  now  descended  into  the  lower  ground,  and  at  the  distance 
of  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  what  I  would  denominate  the  sacred, 
platform  I  came  to  a  square,  tower-like  building,  which  Mr. 
Murier  calls  '  The  Fire  Temple.'  It  is  formed  of  the  same  last 
ing  materials  with  the  former  structure,  the  blocks  of  marble 
not  being  much  less  in  size  ;  but  the  extent  of  the  edifice  does 
not  seem  in  proportion  to  the  magnitude  of  its  component  parts, 
its  square  not  measuring  more  than  nine,  feet  along  each  face, 
and  its  height  not  appearing  to  exceed  forty-nine  feet.  .  .  . 

"  A  quarter  of  a  mile  due  south,  I  came  to  a  square  pillar  of 
only  two  stones  one  over  the  other,  the  lower  one  1 2  feet  high, 
the  other  7  or  8,  the  whole  terminated  above  with  some  broken 
work  like  a  ledge.  Three  of  the  faces  are  beautifully  smooth, 
and  on  that  to  the  north  is  a  short  inscription  of  four  lines  in 
the  arrow-headed  character,  perfectly  uninjured,  and  so  clear 
and  sharp  that  it  seemed  scarcely  possible  to  mistake  a  wedge. 
...  In  proceeding  south-east  for  rather  more  than  a  quarter  of 
a  mile,  no  vestige  of  ruins  appeared  till  I  reached  a  low  mound 
which  bore  evident  marks  of  having  formerly  been  ascended 
by  steps.  To  this  the  inhabitants  of  the  plain  give  the  name 
of  the  '  Court  of  the  Deevs '  or  Devils.  From  the  centre  of 
it  rises  a  perfectly  round  column,  smooth  as  the  finest  polish, 
but  the  base  of  which  is  totally  buried  in  surrounding  rubbish. 
The  length  of  the  shaft  cannot  be  less  than  from  forty  to  fifty 
feet,  and  is  composed  of  four  pieces  of  marble.  The  lower 
division  comprises  almost  half  the  whole  height,  and  in  circum 
ference  measures  ten  feet.  I  should  imagine  that  the  column 
has  been  higher  than  at  present,  there  being  no  fragment  of  a 
capital  discernible  at  its  top.  A  spacious  marble  platform  sup 
ports  this  immense  fragment  of  a  column,  the  square  shape  of 
its  area  being  marked  by  four  pillars  of  similar  st;Je  and  de- 
mensions  to  the  one  I  had  recently  passed.  The  four  are  dis 
tant  from  each  other  one  hundred  and  ci^ht  feet.  Those  that 
denote  the  north-west  face  of  the  building  are  not  much  dil 
apidated  ;  but  the  ruinous  state  of  the  place  alone  showed 
where  the  opposite  ones  had  been  by  baring  their  foundations. 
The  most  northern  of  the  pair,  which  are  in  the  best  preserva 
tion,  is  composed  of  three  stones  surmounted  by  a  sort  of  cor 
nice,  the  whole  being  1 5  feet  in  height  On  one  side  is  an  in 
scription  near  the  top  corresponding  exactly  with  the  one  I  had 


IRENE.  91 

transcribed  from  the  preceding  pillar.  A  third  mass  of  marble 
in  a  yet  more  mutilated  state  stands  thirty  feet  in  front  of  these, 
dividing  exactly  the  middle  of  the  face  of  the  square.  There 
is  an  inscription  on  the  north-western  side  of  this  mass.  I 
conjecture  the  place  to  have  been  completely  open  to  the  air, 
as  I  found  now  all.  In  viewing  the  plain  from  the  elevation  of 
this  building  it  appears  one  rich  velvet  of  vegetation,  without 
the  interruption  of  the  smallest  unproductive  spot  rendered 
barren  by  fallen  rubbish.  I  mention  this  as  an  extraordinary 
peculiarity,  that  amongst  so  many  fine  ruins  there  should  be 
no  trace  of  minor  ones  between. 

"  Perceiving  to  the  south-east  another  columnar  appearance,  I 
rode  in  that  direction  for  half  a  mile,  and  on  arriving  found  an 
immense  single  elevation  of  the  kind  belonging  to  a  former  edi 
fice,  now  entirely  swept  away  ;  and  which,  but  for  the  fragment 
which  attracted  my  attention,  could  only  be  marked  by  the  bases 
on  which  stood  its  ancient  columns.  Its  shape  is  a  parallelogram, 
one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  by  eighty-one.  Two  rows  of  pedes 
tals  divide  it,  each  composed  of  four  stones,  the  whole  (with  the 
exception  of  one  of  white  marble,  which  stands  the  third  on  the 
north-east  range,  and  is  six  feet  square)  being  of  the  dark  rock 
of  the  country.  ......... 

"  If  this  tract  is  allowed  to  be  the  site  of  the  city  established 
by  Cyrus,  this  very  edifice  maybe  that  which  Plutarch  mentions 
(Vitas  Artax.  X.)  as  the  place  where  the  Persian  kings,  his  suc 
cessors,  received  consecration  ;  and  which,  he  observes,  was 
dedicated  to  a  goddess  in  whose  guidance  was  the  affairs  of  war. 
By  the  general  plan,  there  appear  to  have  been  two  en 
trances,  one  from  the  north-east,  the  other  in  the  opposite  quar 
ter.  They  are  both  twelve  feet  wide,  showing  something  like  a 
step  advancing  beyond  the  outer  line  of  the  floor.  At  about  six 
feet  distant  from  the  north-east  side  of  the  building,  and  stand 
ing  out  in  a  parallel  point  to  its  centre,  rises  the  square  pillar 
which  had  drawn  me  hither.  It  appears  perfectly  distinct  from 
all  others,  no  trace  of  a  second  being  found.  One  single  block 
of  marble  forms  it,  and  as  far  as  I  could  judge,  it  is  full  fifteen 
feet  high.  On  examining  it  I  was  delightedly  surprised  at  dis 
covering  a  sculpture  in  bas-relief,  occupying  nearly  the  whole 
length  of  the  north-west  side  of  the  pillar,  surmounted  by  a 
compartment  containing  a  repetition  of  the  usual  inscription. 
I  lost  no  time  in  measuring  and  drawing  this  invaluable  piece 
of  antiquity. 

"  It  consists  of  a  profile  figure  of  a  man  clothed  in  a  garment 


92  IRENE. 

shaped  something  like  a  woman's  shift,  fitting  rather  close  to 
the  body,  and  reaching  from  the  neck  to  the  ankles.  His  right 
arm  is  put  forward,  half  raised  from  the  elbow  ;  and  a  s  far  as  I 
could  judge  from  the  mutilated  state  of  its  extremity,  the  hand 
is  open  and  elevated.  His  head  is  covered  with  a  cap  close  to 
the  skull,  sitting  low  behind,  almost  to  the  neck,  and  showing 
a  small  portion  of  hair  beneath  it.  A  circle,  of  what  I  could 
not  make  out,  is  just  over  the  ear,  and  three  lines  marked  down 
the  back  of  the  head  seem  to  indicate  braidings.  His  beard 
is  short,  bushy,  and  curled  with  the  neatest  regularity  ;  the 
face  is  so  much  broken,  only  the  contour  can  be  traced.  From 
the  bend  of  the  arm  to  the  bottom  of  the  garment  runs  a  bor 
der  of  roses,  carved  in  the  most  beautiful  style,  from  which 
flows  a  waving  fringe  extending  round  the  skirt  of  the  dress ; 
the  whole  being  executed  with  the  most  delicate  precision. 
From  his  shoulders  issue  four  large  wings  :  two  spreading  on 
each  side,  reach  high  above  his  head  ;  the  others  open  down 
wards,  and  nearly  touch  his  feet.  The  chiselling  of  the  feathers 
is  exquisite.  But  the  most  singular  part  of  the  sculpture  is  the 
projection  of  two  large  horns  from  the  crown  of  his  head.  They 
support  a  row  of  three  balls  or  circles,  within  which  we  see 
smaller  ones  described.  Three  vessels  not  unlike  our  Europe 
an  decanters,  and  regularly  fluted,  rest  upon  these  balls,  being 
crested  again  by  three  smaller  circles.  On  each  side  of  the 
whole,  like  supporters  to  a  coat-of-arms,  stand  two  small  crea 
tures  resembling  mummies  of  the  Ibis,  but  having  a  bent  ter 
mination  to  their  swathed  form.  Over  all  is  the  inscription. 
The  figure  from  head  to  foot  measures  seven  feet.  The  width 
of  the  stone  where  he  stands  is  five  feet.  Two  feet  from  that 
line  reaches  the  present  level  of  the  ground.  The  proportions 
of  the  figure  are  not  in  the  least  defective,  nor  can  any  fault 
be  found  with  its  taste,  being  perfectly  free  from  the  dry,  wood 
en  appearance  we  generally  rind  in  Egyptian  works  of  this  kind ; 
and  in  fact  it  reminded  me  so  entirely  of  the  graceful  simplicity 
of  design  which  characteri/es  the  best  Grecian  friezes,  that  I 
considered  it  a  duty  to  the  history  of  the  art  to  copy  the  forms 
before  me  exactly  as  I  saw  ;  without  allowing  my  pencil  to  add 
or  diminish,  or  to  alter  a  line.  I  cannot  omit  stating  that  on 
some  of  the  bas-reliefs  in  the  great  temple  of  the  Isle  of  Philai, 
in  Egypt,  several  figures  are  found  bearing  attributes  on  their 
heads  very  similar  to  those  on  the  horned  mitre  just  described. 
"  But  with  the  exception  of  the  mitre,  there  is  nothing  I  have 
ever  seen  or  read  of  which  bears  so  strong  a  resemblance  to 


IRENE.  93 

the  whole  of  the  figure  on  the  pillar,  as  the  ministering  or 
guardian  angels  described  under  the  name  of  Seraphim  or  Cher 
ubim  by  the  different  writers  in  the  Bible.  And  if  we  are  to 
ascribe  these  erections  to  Cyrus,  how  readily  may  he  have 
found  the  model  of  his  genii,  either  in  the  spoil  of  the  temple 
of  Jerusalem  which  he  saw  among  the  treasures  at  Babylon,  or 
from  the  Jewish  descriptions  in  the  very  word  of  prophecy 
which  mentions  him  by  name,  and  which  doubtless  would  be  in 
the  possession  of  Daniel,  and  open  to  the  eyes  of  the  monarch 
to  whom  it  so  immediately  referred.  ..... 

"  At  the  distance  of  about  a  mile  southward  from  these  re 
mains,  rises  the  singular  structure  commonly  known  as  the  tomb 
of  the  mother  of  Solomon,  and  in  the  language  of  the  country 
called  "  Mesched  madre-i-Sulieman."  This  interesting  monu 
ment,  however,  is  probably  the  "  Tomb  of  Cyrus."  It  stands 
on  an  eminence  not  far  from  the  foot  of  the  hills  that  bound  the 
plain  to  the  south-west.  A  wide  area  marked  outwardly  by 
the  broken  shafts  of  twenty-four  circular  columns  surrounds 
the  building  in  a  square  shape.  Each  column  is  three  feet 
three  inches  in  diameter.  Six  complete  each  face  of  the  square, 
distant  from  each  other  fourteen  feet.  Seventeen  columns  are 
still  erect,  but  heaped  round  with  rubbish,  and  barbarously  con 
nected  with  a  wall  of  mud.  Within  this  area  stands  the  tomb. 
The  great  base  on  which  it  rests  is  composed  of  immense  blocks 
of  the  most  beautiful  white  marble  rising  in  steps.  At  the  bot 
tom  of  the  lowest  step,  two  sides  of  the  base  measure  forty  feet ; 
the  other  two  sides  forty-four.  It  first  rises  five  feet  six  inches, 
so  forming  the  lowest  step.  The  second  begins  two  feet  inte 
riorly  from  the  extreme  edge  of  the  first,  rising  three  feet  six 
inches,  and  receding  one  foot  ten  inches ;  at  which  point  the 
third  step  rises  three  feet  four  inches,  and  recedes  one  foot  ten 
inches,  and  so  on.  Thus  a  succession  of  giant  steps  completes, 
in  a  beautiful  pyramidal  shape,  the  pedestal  of  this  royal  tomb, 
majestic  in  its  simplicity  and  vastness.  At  the  base  of  the  low 
est  step,  a  projection  or  sort  of  skirting  stone  runs  all  around 
the  foundation  of  the  building  almost  even  with  the  ground 
above,  and  not  striking  very  deep  into  it  below  ;  probably  to 
what  was  the  ancient  level  of  the  earth.  The  charge  of  this  in 
teresting  place  is  given  to  females  of  a  neighboring  village,  and 
none  but  that  sex  are  permitted  to  enter  the  supposed  reposi 
tory  of  the  remains  of  the  mother  of  Solomon. 

"  The  door  opens  into  the  north-western  side  of  the  tomb  : 
the  whole  width  of  the  side  being  sixteen  feet  ten  inches,  of 


94  IRENE. 

which  measurement  the  entrance  dividing  it  occupied  two  feet 
ten  inches.  The  height  of  the  door  was  exactly  four  feet. 
Four  layers  of  stones  composed  the  elevation  of  this  super 
structure.  Just  over  the  door  are  two  ledges,  which  from  their 
parallel  I  should  suppose  held  an  inscription.  When  I  entered  I 
found  that  the  thickness  of  the  walls  was  one  solid  single  mass  of 
stone  measuring  five  feet  from  the  outside  to  within.  The  ex 
tent  of  the  chamber  was  seven  feet  wide,  ten  long,  and  eight  in 
height.  .  .  .  The  learned  world  are  indebted  to  Mr.  Morier  for 
the  first  supposition,  that  the  ruins  scattered  over  the  vale  of 
Mourg-Aub  are  those  of  Pasargadae,  for  the  unanswerable  argu 
ments  which  establish  his  supposition  and  for  the  first  accurate 
accounts  of  the  two  most  corroborating  proofs,  namely,  the  gen 
eral  cuneiform  inscription  found  on  the  columns  and  the  details  of 
the  tomb  I  have  just  described.  In  comparing  what  has  just  been 
said  of  this  structure  with  the  account  given  by  Arrian  of  the 
Tomb  of  Cyrus  at  Pasargadaj,  the  resemblance  between  each  is 
too  exact  not  to  bear  an  instant  conviction,  that  they  are  por 
traits  of  one  and  the  same  place.  Arrian  writes  from  the  testi 
mony  of  Aristobulus,  who  had  visited  the  spot : 

" '  The  tomb  of  Cyrus  was  in  the  royal  paradise  of  Pasargadae, 
round  which  a  grove  of  various  trees  were  planted.  It  was 
supplied  with  water,  and  its  fields  covered  with  high  grass.  The 
tomb  below  was  of  a  quadrangular  shape,  built  of  marble. 
Above  was  a  house  of  stone  with  a  roof.  The  door  that  leads 
into  it  is  so  very  narrow,  that  a  man  not  very  tall  with  dime ul ty 
can  get  in.  Within  is  the  golden  coffin  of  Cyrus,  near  which 
is  a  seat  with  feet  of  gold.  The  whole  is  hung  round  with  cov 
erings  of  purple  and  carpets  of  Babylon.'  He  adds,  '  In  the 
vicinity  was  built  a  small  house  for  the  Magi,  to  whose  care 
the  tomb  had  originally  been  entrusted,  and  so  continued  since 
the  time  of  Cambyses  from  fathers  to  sons.' 

"  The  above  description  arose  from  the  visit  which  Aristobulus 
made  to  the  tomb  by  order  of  Alexander.  Plutarch  tells  us 
that  Polymachus,  one  of  Alexander's  officers,  rifled  the  tomb 
of  Cyrus.  Alexander  commanded  his  immediate  death  for  the 
act.  Aristobulus  describes  the  tomb  as  being  situated  "  with 
in  the  royal  paradise  at  Pasargada:."  The  paradises  of  the 
ancient  kings  of  Persia  were  like  those  of  the  more  modern 
Shahs  at  Ispahan  —  spacious  gardens  adjoining  their  palaces,  and 
often  so  extensive  as  to  contain  ground  which  we  would  call  a 
park  for  the  preservation  of  animals  for  the  chase.  Aristobu 
lus  dwells  with  minuteness  upon  the  details  within.  He  speaks 


IRENE.  95 

of  '  robes  and  under-garments  of  Bab)rlonian  and  Median  man 
ufactory,  richly  dy  >d  in  violet,  purple,  and  other  colors.  There 
were  likewise  chains,  scimitars,  and  ear-rings  of  gold,  the  whole 
beautifully  set  with  precious  stones.' 

"  I  shall  now  speak  of  the  inscription  written  in  the  cunei 
form  or  arrow-headed  character  which  is  so  generally  met  with 
on  all  the  pillars,  etc.,  of  this  place,  and  without  the  de 
viation  of  a  single  curve.  Professor  Grottefund  gives  it  the 
following  translation  : 

"  '  Dominus,  Cyrus  rex  orbis  rector.' 
"  '  Cyrus,  lord,  king,  ruler  of  the  world.' 

"From  his  epitaph  as  given  by  Strabo,  we  find  in  its  sim 
plicity  the  same  greatness  even  in  death : 

" '  O  man !  I  am  Cyrus,  son  of  Cambyses,  founder  of  the 
Persian  empire  and  sovereign  of  Asia  ;  therefore  grudge  me 
not  this  sepulchre.'  " 

Trembling  with  emotion,  the  mysterious  Zenayi  stood  be 
fore  the  tomb  of  the  mighty  conqueror,  holding  the  hand  of 
the  young  commander  of  cavalry.  A  priest  of  the  Magi,  a 
descendant  of  that  illustrious  line  of  hierarchs  who  marked 
their  learning  and  their  piety  in  letters  of  fire  upon  the  heroic 
ages  of  Persia,  was  overpowered  by  the  memories  and  the  as 
sociations  connected  with  that  sacred  spot  and  that  holy  city. 
The  priests  who  had  ministered  in  those  open  temples  and 
upon  those  free,  airy  mountain  heights,  were  his  brethren. 
Honored  in  their  characters  and  their  sacred  functions  by  the 
illustrious  Cyrus,  they  had  been  a  proud,  wise,  free-hearted 
race.  Their  day  of  honor  had  gone  by.  Their  power  waned, 
and  from  their  height  of  dignity  they  had  fallen  to  the  position 
of  a  persecuted  race.  The  fanatical  sword  of  the  Arabian 
Prophet  had  decimated  their  followers,  and  scattered  the 
ancient  priesthood  over  Asia.  They  had  long  been  a  perse 
cuted  and  a  down-trodden  race.  They  could  no  longer  publicly 
look  in  the  faces  of  the  holy  stars  and  worship  there  the  sym 
bols  of  the  one  true  God.  The  sacred  fire  which  symbolized 
the  attributes  of  Ormuzd  burned  faintly  and  secretly  in  the  wilds 
of  India  and  Persia.  But  the  persecuted  Ghebres  were  a  true 
and  faithful  race.  They  never  deserted  their  faith,  but  through 
the  ages  of  blood  and  tears  and  anguish  still  revered  the 
memory  of  Zoroaster,  of  Cyrus,  and  of  glorious  Persia  in  her 
prime,  as  mistress  of  the  East. 

On  this  sacr;d  ground  had  the  Magi  watched  the  tomb  of 


96  IRENE. 

the  great  Cyrus,  and  now  one  of  their  descendants  stood  there 
in  the  fire  and  the  emotion  of  his  undying  love  fur  Persia,  to 
inspire  a  soldier's  heart  to  emulate  the  great  virtues  of  a  noble 
conqueror,  who  had  gone  where  the  martial  cry  sounds  never. 
"  I  hoped,"  he  said  at  length,  "  that  you  would  here  breathe 
in  some  of  the  pure,  proud  air  that  nourished  my  country's 
hero.  J  hoped  that  here  you  would  aspire  to  lead  the  life  of 
Cyrus,  heroic,  noble,  forgiving,  living  for  the  happiness  of  his 
countrymen,  and  in  the  chaste  pursuit  of  truth  ignoring  self. 
Be  from  this  day  like  Cyrus  in  his  noble  mood,  magnanimous. 
Live  to  be  loved  like  my  Cyrus." 


CHAPTER    XII. 

|HE  setting  sun  gilded  the  summit  of  the  "  sacred  plat 
form"  of  Mourg-Aub.  The  marble  glistened  in  the 
effulgence  of  the  receding  orb  for  a  moment,  and  then 
the  shadow  of  the  western  mountain  fell  upon  the 
sacred  stnicture.  Still  were  die  summits  of  the  highest  moun 
tains  radiant  with  the  touch  of  the  dying  day's  sceptre,  and 
from  a  distant  crag  a  tiny  object  flashed  like  fire,  a  star  of 
brilliant  fire.  It  was  the  polished  spear-head  of  a  sentinel 
watching  the  approaches  to  the  camp.  This  tiny  fire  went  out 
quickly,  and  the  shadows  fell  deeper  across  the  valley.  In  the 
shadow  which  now  lay  at  the  base  of  the  cliff  against  which  the 
wall  of  marble  was  erected,  stood  the  astrologer  and  the  young 
commander.  Their  horses  were  in  charge  of  a  soldier  on  the 
northern  side  of  the  "  sacred  platform."  The  two  friends  were 
hidden  from  the  curious  eyes  of  any  one  connected  with  the 
camp.  Having  completed  their  examination  of  all  the  ruins  of 
Pasargadce  in  the  valley,  they  had  reached  at  last  the  broad 
front  of  the  terrace  upon  whose  summit  the  great  Cyrus  had 
offered  sacrifice  of  the  noble  horses  of  the  Empire  to  the  King 
of  Heaven.  The  platform  of  rock  upon  which  had  congrega 
ted  in  the  olden  time  the  noble  and  powerful  of  the  kingdom  of 
Persia  on  the  occasion  of  the  grander  ceremonies  of  state  and 
of  religion,  was  silent,  deserted,  and  rapidly  growing  obscured 
in  the  fall  of  the  evening. 

The  two  stood  in  silence,  occasionally  casting  glances  about 


IRENE.  97 

them  to  see  that  they  were  indeed  unobserved.  They  were 
about  to  penetrate  by  a  secret  entrance  the  very  heart  or 
centre  of  the  cliff  against  which  the  marble  terrace  stood.  The 
Ghebre  assured  his  companion  that  within  the  apparently  solid 
mass  of  mountain  rock  which  the  marble  terrace  embraced 
on  three  sides,  was  a  marvel  of  antiquity,  the  knowledge  of 
which  would  bewilder  by  its  magnificence  even  the  Shah  of 
Persia.  To  the  young  soldier  of  fortune  in  the  very  Hush  and 
fire  of  his  manhood  was  to  be  unveiled  the  first  of  the  astrolo 
ger's  three  great  secrets.  He  had  sworn  to  preserve  this  secret 
in  his  own  bosom.  That  which  he  was  about  to  explore  in  the 
bowels  of  the  earth  was  to  be  his  property  forever.  It  was  to 
be  his  by  the  gift  of  the  mysterious  intellectual  giant  who  had 
adopted  him  as  his  son  and  heir.  Often,  in  the  course  of  his 
years  of  preparation  and  study,  had  the  Ghebre  assured  him 
that  he  owned  not  one  foot  of  land  on  the  surface  of  Persia. 
Now  the  sage  who  loved  him  was  about  to  present  him  with  a 
property  beneath  the  surface  of  that  empire.  So  much  of 
mystery  attached  to  the  astrologer  in  his  every  movement  and 
expression,  that  the  young  commander  had  learned  to  expect 
something  of  great  weight  and  importance  in  every  revelation 
of  the  future  and  the  unknown.  The  Ghebre  had  never  de 
ceived  him.  Everything  that  he  had  been  taught  to  look 
forward  to  in  connection  with  his  individual  fortunes  as  signifi 
cant  or  valuable,  had  always  proved  to  be  so.  He  was  con 
fident  now  that  something  of  unusual  magnitude  was  about  to 
burst  upon  his  vision,  something  that  was  to  advance  him  in 
the  path  of  power.  He  was  to  be  clothed  with  property,  the 
existence  of  which  lie  had  bound  himself  by  oath  never  to 
speak  of  to  any  one  besides  his  instructor.  All  the  enjoyment  of 
this  property  was  to  be  free  to  him,  provided  only  that  he  would 
guard  the  secret  until  his  death.  The  usufruct  of  this  sub 
terranean  estate  was  only  limited  by  the  term  of  his  life.  At 
his  death  the  estate  was  to  revert  to  the  astrologer  if  he  sur 
vived  him.  If  the  Ghebre  preceded  him  to  that  land,  "  the 
bodies  of  whose  inhabitants  cast  no  shadow  "  then  the  secret, 
by  his  oath,  must  die  with  him." 

Here  was  mystery  enough  to  make  the  commander  serious 
and  thoughtful  before  the  ancient  monument  of  the  Magian 
worship.  He  looked  upon  the  admirable  solidity  of  the  mar 
ble  wall  before  him.  Master  workmen  had  reared  that  pile 
of  masonry  more  than  two  thousand  years  before  the  young 
commander  was  born.  How  thoroughly  masters  of  their  craft 
0 


98  IRENE. 

had  been  the  builders  of  the  terrace.  Kingdoms,  dynasties, 
races  had  passed  away,  or  been  blended  irrevocably  with 
others,  and  still  the  "  sacred  platform  "  of  Mourg-Aub  survived. 
And  the  ghosts  of  those  ancient  builders  returning  to  their 
material  bodies  might  smile  triumphantly,  pointing  to  their 
indestructible  handiwork.  There  was  an  irresistible  fascina 
tion  in  the  contemplation  of  the  beautiful  fabric,  when  coupled 
with  the  thought  of  its  immense  antiquity.  As  the  evening 
shadows  deepened  upon  the  massive  work  before  him  and  the 
mysterious  hour  of  darkness  drew  near,  when  it  would  be  safe 
to  enter  the  hidden  passage  to  the  mysteries  within  the  cliff, 
the  commander  could  not  refrain  from  communicating  his 
thoughts  to  Zenayi. 

"  I  wonder,"  he  said,  "  why  it  never  enters  the  heads  of  the 
modern  rulers  of  Persia  to  erect  durable  fabrics,  massive  mar 
ble  palaces,  that  will  outlive  the  ages.  They  build  beautiful 
palaces,  airy  and  graceful  as  the  palatial  temple  of  Demogorgon 
on  the  Himalayas.  But  their  frail  structures  crumble  in  a  life 
time,  and  are  gone.  The  Shah  has  built  a  dozen  palaces,  and 
not  one  of  them  will  outlive  the  reign  of  Abbas  Mirza.  Why 
does  he  not,  with  all  his  exquisite  taste  in  fairy-like  buildings 
and  in  sculpture,  grasp  the  idea,  so  natural  to  an  artistic  mind, 
that  a  durable  palace  of  marble  will  delight  his  own  eyes,  while 
he  watches  it  gradual  erection,  and  not  only  augment  the 
grandeur  of  his  own  reign,  but  cause  Abbas  Mirza's  name,  and 
the  names  of  his  grandchildren,  to  be  honored  on  his  account  ? 
Were  each  Shah  to  invest  but  a  portion  of  the  immense  revenues 
of  Persia,  in  a  few  reigns  this  land  would  be  magnificent.  Each 
succeeding  monarch  would  look  back  with  pride,  and  strive  to 
emulate  this  princely  architecture.  Tell  me,  Zenayi,  why,  in 
families  of  so  much  taste,  the  idea  of  massivcness  never  seems 
to  enter  ?  How  can  a  Persian  monarch  look  upon  these  ruins, 
and  then  riilr  south-west  only  some  twelve  farsangs  (forty-eight 
miles),  and  view  the  ruins  of  Persepolis,  and  not  have  his  pride 
and  artistic  taste  aroused  to  erect  something  durable  in  marble? 
Why,  Zenayi,  these  ruins  fire  me,  poor  as  I  am,  to  emulate  the 
vastness  of  these  ancient  works.  Poor  as  I  am,  I  eagerly  long 
for  power,  for  wealth  to  erect  something  durable,  grand,  impos 
ing.  I  can  appreciate  the  exquisite  taste  of  the  Shah's  aerial 
palace.  It  thrills  me  when  I  look  upon  it.  But  it  pu//les  me, 
that  the  same  intellect  which  appreciates  grace  ar.d  airy  beauty 
in  art,  does  not  feel  the  kindred  fire  of  massive,  durable  beauty. 
Grandeur  and  grace  are  no  strangers  to  each  other  in  art.  They 


IRENE.  99 

burn  in  my  soul  with  equal  intensity.  The  flight  of  a  body  of 
Persian  light  horse  over  the  plain  is  to  my  mind  graceful  and 
beautiful  as  the  flight  of  birds;  but  I  could  not  fail,  if  power 
were  in  my  hands,  to  mass  the  infantry  for  battle,  and  rejoice  in 
the  thunder  of  a  hundred  heavy  cannon  pouring  in  pounds  of 
iron  where  my  horsemen  only  showered  their  hail  of  tiny  bullets. 
If  the  quick  evolutions  of  horse  charm  me,  the  heavy  roar  of 
cannon  exalts  my  very  soul.  Would  to  God  I  could  command 
both.  So  are  my  thoughts  blended  as  to  grace  and  majesty  in 
art." 

"  Ha !  ha !  my  young  commander,"  exclaimed  the  delighted 
Ghebre.  "  So  my  ruins  of  Pasargadas  are  working  upon  you, 
after  all.  I  knew  you  had  a  kingly  soul.  For  this,  I  brought 
you  here.  Stupid  heads  and  stony  hearts  never  see  anything 
but  rubbish  in  massive,  ancient  ruins.  But  the  superb  of  soul 
are  never  blind.  The  mean  and  the  penurious  of  a  country 
would  never  raise  monuments  to  their  heroes  and  defenders  — 
would  never  honor  a  great  and  noble  name.  But  the  grand  of 
soul  aspire  to  do  what  their  purses  cannot  do  for  their  heroes  ; 
and  these  are  the  noble  of  every  kingdom  —  prince  or  peasant, 
potentate  or  mendicant.  Now,  listen  to  me,  for  it  is  not  dark 
enough  yet  for  our  purpose.  I  have  believed  in  you.  You 
have  given  me  love  and  confidence  unbounded.  You  do  not 
believe  that  Zenayi  is  the  tool  of  the  evil  Ahrimanes,  but  the 
servant  and  priest  of  Ormuzd.  I  am  a  mystery  to  you,  and  to 
all  men.  But  you  have  judged  me  by  my  life.  In  this  you  have 
followed  justice.  You  have  loved  and  trusted  the  Ghebre.  Now 
for  your  reward.  But  it  is  a  reward  which,  I  hope  to  convince 
you  ere  long,  if  you  live,  is  not  to  be  mentioned  in  the  same 
sentence  with  other  mysteries  which  your  upright  life  may  in 
time  induce  me  to  reveal  to  you.  True,  you  will  be  amazed 
at  what  I  am  about  to  show  you.  But  if  you  will  restrain  and 
hold  in  perfect  control  the  impulses  and  the  passions  which  my 
secret  will  certainly  awaken  in  your  heart ;  if,  instead  of  follow 
ing  out  the  selfish  suggestions  that  will  arise  in  your  very  soul, 
at  the  sight  of  the  subterranean  estate  I  am  about  to  place 
under  your  control,  you  will  listen  to  my  counsel,  you  may  in 
reality  be  preparing  yourself  for  the  future  revelation  to  you  of 
my  third  and  last  secret.  Oh  !  the  ineffable  loveliness  and  value 
of  my  third  secret.  If  ever  you  are  privileged  to  know  it,  you 
will  ridicule  the  thought  that  my  first  -secret  has  any  charms  for 
a  mortal  that  can  compare  with  it.  If  ever  you  learn  the  third, 
the  great  mystery,  Zenayi  will  no  longer  puzzle  you  as  he  now 


100  IRENE. 

puzzles  his  countrymen.  Why  he  knows  so  much,  will  then  be 
clear  to  you  as  the  daylight.  Now  I  will  tost  the  firmness  and 
the  strength  of  your  character  by  disclosing  to  you  the  first 
secret.  Claim  what  I  exhibit  to  you,  absolutely  and  without 
fear.  I  give  it  to  you,  the  whole  and  entire  ownership,  subject 
only  to  the  condition  of  your  oath,  that  no  other  man  shall  ever 
know  it.  Come  on,  now ;  you  have  given  Zenayi  your  heart 
and  your  noble  trust.  See  how  the  Ghebre  appreciates  that 
precious  gift,  a  heart." 

He  led  the  way,  as  he  concluded,  to  a  corner  of  the  marble 
terrace.  The  darkness  nearly  obscured  the  view  of  the  ancient 
work.  No  curious  eyes  could  now  watch  their  movements. 
The  Ghebre,  stooping  at  the  angle  of  the  wall,  placed  his  hands 
against  the  lowest  block  of  marble  visible  above  the  surface  of 
the  ground.  He  pushed  this  stone  inward  with  apparent  ease. 
It  seemed  to  swing  in  towards  the  cliff  on  hinges.  He  then 
applied  his  hands  with  like  success  to  the  block  of  marble  next 
above  it.  Thus  a  low  door  or  means  of  ingress  to  the  interior 
of  the  terrace  was  revealed.  He  bade  the  officer  enter  before 
him,  and  descend  a  flight  of  stone  steps  that  his  feet  would 
encounter  directly.  The  amazed  Alfonso  obeyed  his  direc 
tion,  passed  in  through  the  opening  to  impenetrable  darkness, 
and  immediately  felt  firm  stone  steps  beneath  his  feet.  He 
descended  the  flight,  and  was  closely  followed  by  the  Ghebre, 
who  had  closed  the  marble  doors  behind  him.  Encouraged  by 
the  guiding  voice  of  Zenayi,  the  officer  descended  slowly  and 
cautiously  what  seemed  to  be  an  interminable  flight  of  steps. 
He  counted  two  hundred  of  these  before  he  reached  a  level 
platform  of  stone.  Here  he  paused  by  direction  of  the  Ghebre, 
who  now  swept  past  him  with  his  robe,  and  appeared  to  be 
occupied  just  ahead  of  him  in  striking  a  light.  A  flicker  of 
light  now  became  visible,  it  burned  up  brighter,  it  illumined  the 
face  and  long  beard  of  the  astrologer,  it  waxed  brighter  still, 
until  the  walls  and  arch  of  a  subterranean  gallery  became  dis 
tinctly  visible  about  them.  This  mysterious  passage  appeared 
to  lead  on  directly  from  the  foot  of  the  steps  down  which  they 
had  come,  into  the  heart  of  the  rocky  hill  which  above  ground 
had  been  embraced  between  the  three  walls  of  the  marble  ter 
race.  This  arched  way,  however,  was  not  constructed  of  the 
dark,  native  rock,  but  was  covered  and  formed  with  blocks 
of  glistening  white  marble.  They  were  walking,  also,  upon 
blocks  of  the  same  pure  white  material.  This  passage  way  was 
ample  enough  for  two  persons  to  advance  abreast,  and  the  arch 


IRENE.  IOI 

was  full  two  feet  above  their  heads  as  they  walked.  The  guide 
was  already  in  the  highest  glee,  and  laughed  and  chatted  with 
his  companion,  as  if  a  burden  had  been  suddenly  removed  from 
his  spirits. 

"Don't  fancy,  Alfonso,"  he  said,  "that  I  am  a  Mohamme 
dan  Eblis,  conducting  you  down  to  his  realm,  Sajin.  But  be 
lieve  me,  I  am  leading  you  to  a  sight  stranger  than  any  ever 
seen  since  the  Arab  Prophet  'split  the  moon  in  two]  when  the 
infidels  demanded  of  him  a  sign." 

He  held  a  lamp  in  his  hand  and  walked  on  through  the  tun 
nel  as  he  talked,  the  officer  following,  and  carefully  scanning 
the  walls  as  they  advanced.  It  was  a  perfect  and  solid  speci 
men  of  ancient  masonry,  and  every  block  of  marble  was  firmly 
in  its  place.  It  looked  as  if  it  were  the  perfect  work  of  the 
preceding  day.  But  the  Ghebre  assured  him  the  same  race 
had  built  it  that  laid  the  marble  of  the  "  sacred  platform." 

"  But  will  there  be  no  end  to  this  marble  walk  ?  "  inquired 
the  officer,  after  they  had  proceeded  rapidly  ahead  for  several 
minutes.  "  We  must  have  come  already  half  a  mile  ;  I  could 
swear  it  is  that  distance  from  the  terrace." 

"  Be  patient,"  was  the  response.  "  We  are  going  straight  on 
into  the  heart  of  the  rock  mountain,  which  you  will  remember 
overhangs  the  rear  end  of  the  terrace." 

"  Impossible  ! "  ejaculated  the  amazed  officer.  "  That  moun 
tain  is  a  mass  of  solid  rock." 

"  That  only  proves,"  responded  the  astrologer,  "  that  the 
workmen  of  the  days  of  Cyrus  were  a  persistent  set.  Not  only 
is  that  mountain  rock,  but  this  tunnel  we  are  travelling  is  also 
cut  through  solid  rock.  This  marble  is  the  facing  only  of  the 
tunnel." 

"  What  are  those  brazen  balls  that  occasionally  hang  so  close 
above  our  heads  ?  " 

"Ancient  lamps,"  replied  the  guide  ;  "  those  people  needed 
light  to  walk,  as  well  as  we." 

They  were  indeed  lamps,  formed  by  suspending  with  brazen 
chains  a  hollow,  half-globe  of  brass  from  the  arch  above.  How 
the  wick  was  arranged  above  it,  was  impossible  to  discover 
from  where  the  two  were  walking. 

"The  estate  you  promised  me,"  said  the  officer  at  length, 
astonished  at  the  extent  of  the  excavation,  "  appears  to  be  all 
alley  or  tunnel." 

"  There  was  very  good  reason  for  all  this  length  of  tunnel, 
as  you  will  discover  ere  long,"  said  the  Ghebre  as  he  hurried 


102  IRJ 

along  under  the  arch.  "  They  were  anxious  to  reach  some 
thing  ahead,  which  could  only  be  effected  by  making  this  won 
derful  length  of  tunnel.  This  was  to  be  the  only  avenue  of 
approach  to  it,  secret  and  permanent.  There  was  a  secret 
hidden  in  the  heart  of  the  rock  mountain,  which  Cyrus  alone 
wa^  acquainted  with.  It  was  a  marvel,  indeed,  how  he  could 
discover  something  to  which  there  was  no  visible  means  of  ap 
proach,  and  which  was  buried  deep  in  the  mountain.  15ut  he 
did  find  it,  and  he  tunnelled  patiently  until  he  reached  it.  What 
he  did  at  length  excavate  his  way  to,  is  to  be  your  estate.  I 
give  it  to  you  ;  wait  patiently  until  I  lead  you  to  it." 

This  was  unaccountable  to  the  officer  ;  to  reach  the  object 
ahead  could  only  be  effected  by  constructing  this  tunnel.  How, 
then,  could  any  man  have  known  that  there  was  an  object  in 
the  heart  of  the  mountain  worth  tunnelling  for  ?  He  was  de 
termined  not  to  be  put  off  in  this  way,  so  he  inquired  again, — 

"  Was  Cyrus  at  the  object  himself  before  he  cut  this  ap 
proach  to  it  ?  Had  he  ever  had  any  access  to  it  before  this 
work  was  made  ?  " 

The  guide  laughed  heartily  at  this  interrogatory  ;  then  he 
answered,  "  No  !  no  !  no !  Cyrus  knew  it  was  in  the  heart  of 
the  mountain,  but  he  had  never  been  there.  He  had  no  means 
of  access  to  it,  and  no  one  knew  it  was  there  but  Cyrus  him 
self.  He  cut  this  secret  way  to  it,  and  this  way  was  the  only 
means  of  access  to  it  that  he  ever  had." 

"  And  still  he  knew  positively  that  it  was  in  the  heart  of  the 
mountain  ?  " 

"  He  did  know  positively  that  it  was  there,"  replied  the  Ghe- 
bre.  "  But  until  he  cut  this  avenue  through  the  solid  rock 
there  was  no  means  by  which  he  could  reach  it." 

••  That  passes  comprehension,"  eM  laimed  the  officer. 

"It  will  be  plain  enough  to  you  when  you  see  the  place,  and 
are  instructed  in  its  mysteries,"  replied  the  astrologer.  f'  There 
is  nothing  supernatural  about  it ;  he  knew  it  was  in  the  heart 
of  the  mountain,  and  he  was  determined  to  gain  access  to  it, 
and  he  did  by  means  of  this  excavation." 

"  I  am  bewildered,"  exclaimed  the  officer  ;  "  you  never  de 
ceived  me,  and  still  what  you  say  appears  to  be  absolutely  im 
possible.  Did  Cyrus  ever  see  this  object  before  he  cut  this 
avenue  to  it  ?  " 

••No!  no!"  shouted  the  Ghebre  with  laughter ;  "he  never 
saw  it  until  he  cut  this  avenue  through  the  rock." 

"  Then  he  was  a  madman,"  retorted  the  officer,  "  to  cut  into 


IRENE.  IO3 

a  solid  mountain  in  search  of  something  that  had  never  been 
seen,  and  to  which  there  was  no  access." 

"No  !  he  was  no  madman,"  replied  the  Ghebre,  "because 
he  knew  that  the  object  was  in  the  mountain,  and  that  it  was 
what  he  wanted  for  his  purpose." 

"  That  is  an  impossibility,"  replied  the  officer,  "  unless  some 
one  told  him  who  had  been  there  when  it  was  accessible,  and 
later  by  some  means  that  accessibility  was  destroyed  for  Cy 
rus;" 

"  No  !  "  replied  the  Ghebre  ;  "it  never  was  accessible  until 
Cyrus  made  it  so." 

"Well !  lead  on,  Zenayi ;  you  talk  in  riddles.  When,  in  the 
name  of  Heaven,  will  this  arched  way  terminate  ?  " 

"  The  termination  is  not  far  off  now,"  replied  the  guide. 

At  length  the  tunnel  did  terminate  in  an  ancient  door  of 
brass,  standing  as  an  impenetrable  barrier  across  the  way.  It 
was  fast  locked,  and  covered  with  all  manner  of  military  de 
vices  cast  in  the  brass.  Ancient  warriors  in  full  armor,  swords, 
lances,  and  banners,  were  portrayed  in  the  brass,  and  exquis 
itely  fashioned  in  just  symmetry  and  proportion. 

"  This  door,"  said  the  Ghebre,  as  he  held  up  his  lamp  that 
the  officer  might  examine  the  details  of  the  casting,  "is  the 
cotemporary  of  Cyrus.  That  great  monarch  has  stood  where 
we  stand  now,  looking  at  those  martial  scenes." 

When  the  young  commander  of  cavalry  had  expressed  him 
self  satisfied  with  the  examination  of  this  marvel  of  ancient  art, 
the  astrologer  informed  him  that  now  he  should  look  upon  the 
estate  which  from  that  hour  was  to  be  his  own.  The  door 
alone  divided  him  from  the  gift  of  Zenayi.  A  panel  of  mar 
ble  was  then  pushed  back  into  the  wall  of  the  tunnel,  swinging 
into  the  wall  on  hinges.  The  Ghebre  applied  his  hands  to  two 
small  carved  heads  upon  the  block  of  marble,  and  thus  was  the 
door  swung  inward,  revealing  a  large  brazen  key  hanging  within 
the  masonry.  He  took  it  from  the  iron  plug  on  which  it  hung, 
and  placing  it  in  the  hand  of  the  officer,  said,  — 

"  Take  the  key  of  the  estate.  I  have  given  it  to  you  in  return 
for  the  gift  of  your  heart.  Love  Zenayi  unto  the  end,  follow 
his  counsel,  and  he  will  exhibit  to  you  some  day  a  mystery  that 
will  appall  you  with  its  splendor,  as  this  estate  beyond  the  door 
never  can.  Now  unlock  the  door,  and  you  will  live  in  the 
great  Past." 

Overpowered  with  some  undefined  awe,  which  the  vicinity  of 
the  underground  tunnel  and  the  martial  door  occasioned,  the 


104  IRENE. 

soldier  with  trembling  hand  fitted  the  massive  key  to  the 
key-hole.  He  was  so  agitated  that  he  could  not  at  the  first 
effort  unlock  the  door.  He  applied  stronger  efforts  to  the  key. 
The  bolt  of  the  lock  yielded  to  the  pressure  and  slid  back.  He 
pulled  upon  the  key  ;  the  massive  brazen  door  of  the  subter 
ranean  mystery  slowly  swung  in  upon  him.  Wider  and  still 
wider  swung  back  the  door.  He  flung  it  back  against  the  side 
wall  of  the  tunnel  with  an  exclamation  ;  then  with  every  vein  of 
his  body  running  fire,  his  eye  dilated,  his  face  pale  with  excite 
ment,  he  stood  gazing  upon  the  wonders  of  the  estate  the  mys 
terious  Sphinx  of  Persia  had  for  a  life  time  bestowed  upon  him. 
Was  it  a  dream,  or  the  hallucination  of  a  distempered  brain  ? 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

|IKE  a  palace  of  El  Dorado,  with  its  white-vaulted  ceil 
ing  illumined  by  the  light  of  a  thousand  lamps  of  gold, 
burst  upon  the  dazzled  eyes  of  the  commander  the 
glories  of  the  subterranean  treasury  of  Cyrus.  The 
mountain  had  been  a  hollow  cone  of  rock  ;  the  great  king  had 
cased  its  sides  and  inner  roof  and  floor  with  snow-white  marble, 
until  it  resembled  a  vast  basilica  dedicated  to  the  worship  of 
gold.  Fluted  columns  of  white  marble  sustained  the  entabla 
tures,  above  which,  circled  round  the  sides  of  the  cone,  until 
they  formed  an  octagonal  figure  upon  which  were  standing  (one 
over  each  column)  angels  of  ivory,  with  solid  golden  wings  and 
sceptres  of  gold.  Near  the  apex  of  the  cone,  a  circle  of  ivory 
angels,  with  crowns  of  gold  and  expanded  wings,  looked  down 
upon  the  angels  of  the  entablatures,  or  rather  beyond  them,  to 
the  vast  goklen  bowl  which  stood  upon  the  centre  of  the  mar 
ble  floor  below.  This  golden  bowl,  full  fifty  feet  in  diameter, 
was  covered  with  battle  scenes  in  alto  relicro,  and  was  sustained 
upon  the  heads  of  marble  genii.  It  was  heaped  full  of  golden 
coins  stamped  with  the  images  of  ancient  princes.  It  was  the 
accumulated  treasure  of  many  kingdoms,  which  Cyrus  brought 
away  from  the  plunder  of  Babylon.  That  famous  city  had  been 
enriched  by  the  spoils  of  Nineveh,  Jerusalem  and  Egypt.  Be 
tween  every  two  of  the  fluted  marble  columns  stood  side  by 
side,  and  facing  inward  to  the  great  central  bowl,  two  horses  of 


IRENE.  105 

the  size  of  life.  One  was  of  solid  gold,  with  flowing  mane  and 
tail.  The  other  was  of  ivory,  with  bridle  and  surcingle  of  pure 
gold. 

On  either  side  of  the  dazzled  officer,  and  as  if  disputing  his 
farther  advance,  stood  two  immense  tigers  of  solid  gold,  with 
eyes  of  priceless  Budukshan  rubies.  An  ominous  red  fire 
seemed  to  play  in  these  eyes  from  the  brilliancy  of  the  many 
swinging  lamps.  In  the  rear  of  the  horses,  and  between  the 
colonnade  and  the  wall  of  the  treasury,  stood  a  procession  of 
solid  silver  camels  extending  round  the  entire  circuit  of  the 
subterranean  basilica.  They  were  loaded  with  golden  baskets 
heaped  full  of  precious  gems  of  every  hue  and  quality,  which 
blazed  like  the  sun  in  the  flood  of  light  flung  upon  them  from 
the  lamps.  The  topaz  and  beryl  of  Mourzinsk,  and  rubies, 
garnets,  and  diamonds  from  the  Urals,  glistened  on  every  side. 
On  a  pedestal  of  marble  stood  candelabra  nine  feet  high, 
formed  of  the  rich  jasper  porphyry  of  Ravennaja  Sopka.  A 
magnificent  vase  of  the  same  precious  material  was  heaped 
full  of  rubies,  lapis  lazuli,  and  turquois  from  the  Kwan-lun  chain 
of  mountains.  Between  every  two  of  the  silver  camels  was  a 
marble  platform  or  table,  on  which  were  spread  the  golden  ves 
sels  and  drinking  cups  taken  by  Cyrus  when  he  surprised  Bel- 
shazzar  in  the  midst  of  his  great  feast.  Here,  too,  was  displayed 
a  statue  of  silver  of  Belus,  the  national  divinity  of  the  Chalde 
ans  and  Assyrians,  with  a  crown  blazing  with  jewels.  Shields  of 
massive  gold,  with  bosses  of  large  emeralds  and  rubies,  jewel- 
hilted  swords  and  daggers,  and  armor  polished  and  enriched  with 
gems, were  suspended  from  the  marble  columns.  Grouped  upon 
the  tables  were  silver  jars  hermetically  sealed,  containing  gallons 
of  the  precious  ottar  of  roses.  Here,  too,  was  the  elaborately 
wrought  harp  of  gold  presented  to  Cyrus  by  the  Hebrews,  in 
grateful  acknowledgment  of  his  kind  release  of  them  from  the 
Babylonian  captivity.  The  lamplight  reflected  from  a  heap  of 
talents  of  gold  flung  into  a  corner  of  the  treasury  —  no  doubt  a 
portion  of  the  treasure  with  which  the  two  queens  Semiramis 
and  Nitocris  enrcihed  the  coffers  of  Babylon.  At  one  side 
stood  sculptures  of  the  former  queen  on  horseback  throwing 
her  javelin,  and  her  husband,  Ninus,  piercing  a  lion.  Here,  too, 
were  hung  against  the  walls  splendid  vestments  of  the  Jewish 
high  priests,  rich  in  jewelr-,  and  part  of  the  plunder  of  Jerusa 
lem  at  the  period  of  the  captivity.  The  arts  and  sciences, 
driven  from  Phoenicia  and  Kgypt,  centred  in  Babylon.  And 
here  were  precious  samples  of  the  purple  and  wine  colored  fab- 
5* 


106  IRENE. 

rics  of  those  lands,  enclosed  in  gold-banded  chests  of  cedar. 
Crystal  jars  fuH  of  red  and  yellow  wines,  of  immense  antiquity, 
were  seen  on  every  hand.  Mellowed  by  time,  no  doubt  they 
would  flow  gently  and  pleasantly  across  the  palate,  like  the  ce 
lestial  waters  of  the  fountain  of  Salsabil.  In  a  heap  at  one  side 
were  cast  bracelets  of  emeralds,  girdles  of  beaten  gold  stuc'ded 
with  rubies  and  pearls,  and  ancient  saddles  and  bridles  encir 
cled  with  gold  and  gems. 

With  a  throb  of  exultation  the  officer  crossed  and  recrossed 
the  marble  hall,  peering  with  wonder  at  each  new  object  of 
splendor  that  attracted  his  attention.  His  joy  was  almost  fran 
tic.  The  wild,  heated  blood  coursed  through  his  veins  as  he 
examined  and  touched  each  object,  to  assure  himself  of  the  re 
ality  of  the  scene.  All  was  true,  real  solid  gold,  marble,  silver. 
He  climbed  to  the  bowl  in  the  centre  of  the  treasury,  and 
grasping  a  handful  of  the  coin  flung  it  high  away  into  the  air. 
The  golden  missiles  fell  upon  the  marble  floor  with  a  clear 
musical  ring,  which  caused  his  heart  to  thrill  with  rapture.  He 
was  indeed  the  wealthiest  citizen  of  Persia  ;  aye  !  more,  he 
had  the  means  for  luxury  and  splendor  that  would  make  the 
superb  gardens  of  the  Shah  at  Negauristan  dwindle  into  insig 
nificance.  He  sprang  from  the  rim  of  the  golden  bowl  down 
at  one  leap  upon  the  marble  floor.  In  his  half-crazed  excite 
ment  he  had  miscalculated  the  distance,  and  for  a  moment  he 
was  painfully  reminded  that  he  had  once  been  fearfully 
wounded.  The  jar  of  his  fall  was  severe,  and  at  the  clank  of 
his  sabre  upon  the  marble  he  heard  the  voice  of  Zenayi  in 
warning  at  his  rashness.  He  had  forgotten  his  benefactor,  for 
gotten  that  he  was  not  alone.  All  memory,  care,  apprehen 
sion  had  fled  for  the  moment,  and  in  the  wild  exultation  of  his 
grand  fortune  all  thought  centred  upon  his  gold. 

The  accents  of  alarm  from  the  Ghebre  recalled  him  to  the 
sense  of  danger  and  caution,  and  to  the  consciousness  that  he 
was  observed.  The  voice  of  the  mysterious  priest  reverber 
ated  through  the  subterranean  hall.  The  owner  of  all  this 
wealth  turned  at  the  sound,  and  found  the  astrologer  standing 
near  him  and  leaning  upon  the  side  of  an  ivory  steed.  The 
dark,  inscrutable  eyes  of  the  learned  sphinx  were  steadily  re 
garding  him.  The  elbow  of  the  white-robed  sarant  re>ted 
upon  the  back  of  the  horse,  and  the  palm  of  his  hand  supported 
his  head.  In  this  easy  attitude  of  calm  repose,  he  stood  con 
templating  his  pupil,  his  heir,  his  beloved  commander  of  horse. 
It  seemed  to  the  officer  as  if  those  mysterious  eyes  had  nevei 


IRENE.  107 

glowed  with  so  profound  meaning  ;  they  seemed  to  search  out 
his  very  soul,  to  read  all  the  hidden  thoughts,  intentions,  and 
aspirations  which  crowded  upon  his  brain  at  the  realization  of 
the  immense  treasure  which  had  become  his  own.  Then,  as 
their  chatoyant  light  settled  into  that  wonderful  expression  of 
far-off  mystery,  of  fathomless  intelligence  and  profound,  ever 
expanding  extent  of  consciousness,  the  officer  experienced  a 
sense  of  awe.  He  seemed  to  realize  in  that  look,  that  there 
was  indeed,  as  the  Ghebre  had  said,  another  and  greater  secret 
yet  to  be  revealed  —  something  more  valuable  than  all  this 
hoarded  wealth  of  Cyrus.  Was  it  the  power  or  knowledge  of 
transmuting  all  substances  into  gold  ?  Was  that  occult  lore  of 
transmutation,  which  had  engaged  the  attention  of  the  learned 
and  studious  in  every  age,  realized  in  that  representative  of  an 
outlawed  faith  ?  A  second  glance  into  those  dark  eyes  beside 
the  ivory  horse  dispelled  this  conjecture.  There  was  some 
thing  deeper,  more  valuable,  known  to  the  astrologer  than  this. 
An  instant  earlier  the  officer  had  seemed  to  realize  that  all  the 
dreams  of  youth  were  realities  within  his  grasp,  The  un 
bounded  usufruct  of  wealth  had  been  granted  him,  and  with  his 
clear  military  perceptions  and  his  inordinate  soldierly  ambition 
he  saw  before  him  armies  equipped,  and  magnificently  equipped 
for  battle  and  conquest.  The  sinews  of  war  were  spread  be 
fore  him  in  the  ancient  treasury.  He  felt  seething  in  his  own 
brain  the  military  genius  to  embody  those  unequalled  resour 
ces  into  actions.  The  consciousness  of  his  own  abilities  to 
make  the  most  of  means  was  ever  present  to  him. 

But  now,  true  to  the  maxim  of  human  experience  in  all  ages, 
the  present  possession  did  not  satisfy  in  the  knowledge  that  there 
was  something  higher  still  to  attain.  That  something  higher, 
more  precious,  more  difficult  of  attainment  looked  out  from  the 
eyes  regarding  him.  What  that  greater  altitude  of  wealth  or 
power  might  be,  the  mysterious  eyes  did  not  communicate. 
But  they  seemed  in  their  sphinx-like  consciousness  to  regard 
the  officer  with  an  expression  of  calm  superiority,  as  if  he  and 
his  treasure  were  still  far  behind  the  summum  bonum  of  life. 
And  this  unruffled  calmness  of  the  Ghebre,  and  his  mysterious 
contempt  of  the  wonderful  treasure  he  had  so  carelessly 
relinquished,  served  to  obumbrate  the  glitter  of  the  gold  in  the 
sight  of  its  new  possessor.  The  ambition,  apparently  the 
moment  before  satisfied  by  its  firm  grasp  upon  the  elements  of 
power,  now  stood  irresolute,  abashed,  and  expectant.  It  had 


108  IRENE. 

surmounted  the  long-discerned  obstacle  to  its  triumph  only  to 
ascertain  that  a  higher  cliff  impended  above. 

"  U'hy  do  you  Took  disconcerted,  Alfonso  ?  You  seem  to 
hesitate  in  your  inspection  of  your  treasury.  Is  it  not  ample 
for  all  your  wants  ?  " 

The  officer  started  at  this  reading  of  his  unsatisfied  soul  on 
tlu-  part  of  Zenayi. 

"Are  you  wizard  or  degv"  exclaimed  the  officer,  "  that  you 
can  read  discontent  in  me  ?  " 

"  Neither  one  nor  the  other,"  calmly  responded  the  Ghebre. 
"  But  an  instant  ago  you  were  revelling  in  your  wealth.  Your 
eyes  beamed  joy.  You  were  exhilarated.  Suddenly  you 
relinquished  your  investigation,  and  your  brow  lowers.  Then, 
wh^n  natural  wonder  induced  my  question,  you  demand  if  your 
friend  is  wizard  or  deev" 

"  Forgive  me,  Zenayi.  But  you  have  wrought  a  marvel 
before  my  eyes,  that  all  the  genii  of  Ginnistan  could  not  surpass. 
You  cannot  wonder  that  1  am  bewildered,  and  speak  inconsist 
ently  before  my  friend.  I  know  and  believe  you  to  be  a  true 
man.  But  you  seem  so  calmly  defiant  of  the  glitter  of  gold, 
and  your  eye  seemed  to  say  "come  up  higher,"  so  that  my 
recollection  reverts  to  what  you  have  said  to-day.  Tell  me 
again,  have  you  a  secret  worthy  the  attention  and  the  effort  of 
manhood  to  attain  —  a  secret  that  transcends  all  this?" 

"I  have  already  said  it,  Alfonso.  I  would  not  exchange 
either  of  my  two  remaining  secrets  for  a  thousand  such  as  this." 

"And  how  may  I  hope  to  obtain  the  mastery  of  the  greater 
secrets  ?  "  inquired  the  officer. 

"You  are  not  satisfied,  then,  with  my  gift,  Alfonso  ?" 

"No,"  was  the  prompt  response. 

"Oh!  the  immortal  mind,  the  immortal  mind!"  CM  bimeil 

1  lliebre.      "  Nothing    satisfies    its    longings.       Kadi  new 

height  gained  suggests  a  higher."     After  a  moment's  sileiu  e  lie 

.ted:  "  It  may  be  possible  for  you  to  know  in  time  what 

still  remains  locked  in  my  breast.     But  to  attain  this  ineffable 

knowledge   the   first  requirement  I   shall  make  of  you  is   this  : 

You  must  devote  your  energies  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  my 

IVrsia.      You  must  be  foremost  in  her  battles,  studious  of  her 

military  development,  and    never  allow  your   individual 

aggra&dizement    to   overtop   the    best    interests  of  the    Kmpire. 

Be  a  firm,  unselfish,   heroic   defender   of    my    Persia;   use   the 

wealth  I  have  given  you,  not  in  the  gratification  of  sensuality, 

not  in  the  display  of  personal   vanity,   but  in  earnest  efforts  to 


IRENE.  IO9 

advance  my  people  in  everything  that  makes  a  nation  happy 
and  great.  This  will  cost  you  great  self-denial.  You  will 
have  to  trample  upon  your  passions.  For  to  be  a  great 
soldier  you  must  long  accustom  yourself  to  the  hardships  of 
camp  and  field.  This  great  wealth,  which  tempts  so  powerfully 
to  effeminacy  and  self-indulgence,  you  must  employ  in  the  inter 
ests  of  Persia  and  the  army.  You  must  not  display  your  wealth, 
for  this  engenders  the  jealousy  and  enmity  of  princes.  Wisely 
and  cautiously  under  my  advice  you  must  use  these  resources 
when  needed,  and  in  a  manner  to  divert  the  attention  of  the 
Shah  and  his  satellites  from  their  existence.  This  self-denial  and 
this  unselfishness  will  react  upon  your  own  character,  and  make 
you  really  great  of  soul.  Then  this  treasury,  instead  of  proving 
your  ruin,  will  advance  you  to  real  greatness.  I  desire  you  to 
start  in  your  career  as  a  commander  as  a  prince  starts,  with  an 
inborn  consciousness  that  wealth  is  one  of  the  meanest  objects 
of  human  pursuit.  I  know  full  well  the  almost  inevitable 
result  of  a  life-long  grapple  for  wealth.  It  narrows  the  heart 
and  contracts  the  character.  The  qualities  essential  to  success 
in  hoarding  gold  are  parsimony,  incessant  attention  to  the  sav 
ing  of  trifling  sums,  impenetrability  to  the  demands  of  the  poor, 
and  constant  dwelling  of  the  mind  upon  the  one  pursuit  which 
fills  the  coffer.  In  nearly  all  men  these  things  are  detrimental 
to  magnanimity.  The  habits  of  economy  become  a  second 
nature.  The  habit  of  holding  on  firmly  to  small  sums  and 
eagerly  watching  every  trifling  expenditure,  warps  the  judgment 
and  the  heart.  The  agony  of  taxation  in  the  owner  of  a  tumdn 
of  gold  is  equally  great  when  he  has  accumulated  a  million. 
I  desire  you  to  start  divested  of  the  eagerness  to  accumulate. 
I  know  that  possession  often  paralyzes  energy  and  exertion. 
But  because  I  recognize  in  you  kingly  qualities,  I  have  deter 
mined  to  flood  you  with  gold.  Believe  me,  however,  that 
your  self-abnegation  in  regard  to  the  manner  of  employing  this 
treasure  will  result  to  your  great  advantage.  For  the  second 
secret  is  far  more  valuable  than  the  treasury  of  Cyrus." 

"And  the  third  secret,  Zenayi ;  how  shall  I  acquire  that?" 
inquired  the  officer,  his  vaulting  ambition  already  winged  for 
higher  flights. 

The  astrologer,  steadily  regarding  the  questioner,  replied, — 
"It  will  require  a  heroic  life  to  win  the  second.     The  strug 
gle  for  that  alone  may  cost  you  years  in  the  field.     It  may 
cost  you  your  life  in  battle." 


1 1O  IRENE. 

"  But  the  third,  Zenayi  —  tell  me  the  means  of  winning  the 
third  secret." 

Some  powerful  emotion  seemed  to  cross  the  countenance 
of  the  astrologer.  His  eyes  dimmed  with  moisture  ;  his  lips 
quivered  ;  his  voice  trembled  as  he  spoke. 

"  When  you  have  mastered  the  second  secret,  come  to  me. 
Tell  me  then  of  the  woman  you  love  beyond  all  created 
things  —  the  woman  who  holds  the  highest  and  purest  place  in 
your  heart,  and  then  and  only  then  can  I  tell  you  how  you  can 
become  the  owner  of  the  ineffable,  the  great  third  secret  of 
Zenayi" 

"  Then,  and  only  then,  Zenayi  ?  "  inquired  the  amazed  com 
mander. 

"  I  have  said  it,  Alfonso." 

The  commander,  after  a  moment  of  silence  and  reflection, 
standing  before  the  sphinx,  and  vainly  reading  the  changes  of 
his  wonderful  eyes,  turned  slowly  away  to  look  upon  his  treas 
ures.  The  first  object  that  met  his  renewed  gaze  recalled 
vividly  the  memorable  scenes  at  Negauristan.  They  were  the 
magnificent  dresses  of  women.  There  were  nuptial  garments 
of  crimson  velvet,  embroidered  with  gold  and  enriched  with 
pearls  and  diamonds  ;  cinctures  of  gold,  strings  of  pearls  from 
the  Persian  Gulf,  necklaces  of  emeralds  from  Egypt,  and 
ornaments  of  turquoises  from  Iran.  There  were  tunics  for 
women  of  buff-colored  ground,  interspersed  with  flowers  of  blue, 
white,  violet,  and  gold.  There  were  heaps  of  ear-rings  and 
bracelets  of  gold,  pointed  golden  crowns  worn  by  brides, 
Syrian  nuptial  veils  embroidered  in  gold  and  silver,  jewelled 
crescents,  and  Persian  tiaras  heavy  with  diamonds.  All  these 
recalled  the  mysterious  beauty,  the  veiled  woman  of  the  garden 
of  Negauristan,  the  woman  to  whom  he  had  vowed  eternal 
constancy,  and  upon  whose  face  he  had  never  looked.  With 
all  this  resource  of  wealth  he  could  no  doubt  tear  her  from 
that  anderoon  of  the  Shah,  and  clothe  her  with  everything  that 
her  heart  could  desire.  He  could  erect  for  her  a  paradise 
unequalled  in  Persia.  He  could  do  for  her  all  that  an  ardent 
heart  could  conceive  within  the  power  of  wealth.  She  loved 
him  and  mysterious  as  she  was  he  knew  that  every  hour  her 
influence  deepened  upon  him.  His  long  absence  from  her  had 
confirmed  his  affection  for  her.  That  single  interview  had 
made  her  mistress  of  his  heart.  Could  he  now  consent  to 
divert  from  lur  use  this  wonderful  treasure.  To  attain  the 
higher  secrets,  he  must  use  none  of  this  wealth  for  his  selfish 


IRENE.  1 1 1 

purposes.  All  must  be  employed  in  the  interest  of  Persia. 
He  could  give  her  nothing  but  his  heart,  and  what  "his  own 
good  sword  might  gain. 

But  the  greatness  of  the  astrologer's  mind  was  working  upon 
his  own.  The  unbounded  generosity  of  the  great  priest  of 
the  Magi  who  gave  him  without  stint  his  whole  treasure,  that 
he  might  thus  reward  his  trust  and  love,  and  perhaps  win  him 
to  a  boundless  heroism  and  devotion  to  the  interests  of  his 
native  land,  awoke  in  his  heart  such  a  yearning  to  exhibit 
qualities  worthy  of  such  a  noble  friend  and  patriot,  that  he  was 
already  hesitating  between  his  affection  for  the  unknown  and 
his  love  for  the  known.  She  might  await  the  triumphs  of  his 
sword.  Zenayi  ought  not  to  wait  for  his  triumph  over  himself 
and  his  passions.  He  had  already  caught  the  inspiration  of 
the  soil  made  sacred  by  the  memories  of  noble  Cyrus.  The 
nobility  of  character  of  the  Ghebre  came  upon  him  like  a 
magnificent  storm.  It  touched  the  depths  of  a  generous, 
thrilled  heart.  He  turned  his  back  upon  the  accumulations 
of  Cyrus,  and  placing  his  hand  in  that  of  the  Ghebre,  swore  to 
devote  every  coin  and  every  article  of  value  to  the  interest  of 
his  friend's  native  land. 

The  breast  of  the  Ghebre  heaved  with  violent  emotion.  The 
sacrifice  seemed  too  stupendous  for  a  young  man,  and  as  if  the 
words  of  the  officer  had  been  misunderstood,  he  inquired  seri 
ously  again, — 

"  Do  you  really  mean  to  say  that  you  will  relinquish  all  this 
treasure  for  my  Persia ;  that  you  will  voluntarily  descend  from 
the  position  of  the  most  affluent  man  in  this  empire  to  that  of 
one  receiving  only  the  pay  of  a  commander  of  horse  ?  " 

"  I  do  mean  it.  Your  word  has  indicated  a  more  valuable 
secret  to  be  wrung  from  you  by  manly  exertion  and  self-denial. 
Your  word  to  me  is  as  pure  and  exalted  as  the  stars  of  heaven. 
I  beliere  you,  I  love  your  country,  and  I  relinquish  this  treasure 
to  its  interests.  Why  should  I  deny  the  wisdom  and  fidelity  of 
my  friend.  I  renounce  all  this  wealth  to  my  belief  in  the  in 
tegrity  and  sincerity  of  Zenayi.  I  would  rather  be  a  true  hero 
in  your  eyes,  than  to  revel  in  twice  this  wealth." 

The  astrologer  wound  his  arms  about  the  officer,  and  drew 
him  tightly  to  his  breast,  while  tears  streamed  from  his  eyes  in 
the  intensity  of  his  emotion.  Calming  himself  at  length  he  said 
exultantly,  — 

"  in  all  the  annals  of  the  "  City  of  the  Violet  Crown"  was 
never  known  a  sacrifice  for  country  or  for  friend  like  this.  Boy, 


1 1 2  IRENE. 

soldier,  hero,  friend,  you  have  made  a  noble  choice.  If  the 
sword  of  battle  spares  you,  you  will  never  regret  this  bold,  blind 
leap  into  the  dark.  You  will  look  upon  halls  beside  which  this 
treasury  of  Cyrus  is  a  mole-hill.  1  cannot  express  in  words 
my  admiration  for  you." 

"I  shall  await  your  revelation,  Zenayi,  with  patience,  and 
until  my  sword  cuts  the  way  to  fortune.  But  now  I  would  like 
to  probe  one  mystery  of  th6  present  which  you  created  for  me 
upon  my  journey  to  this  place.  How  could  Cyrus,  never  hav 
ing  seen  this  subterranean  hall,  and  never  hearing  of  it,  know 
of  its  existence  ?  Why  did  he  tunnel  his  way  to  the  heart  of 
this  mountain  to  find  a  cavity  to  adorn  for  his  treasures  ?  " 

"  I  will  satisfy  that  curiosity  of  yours  at  once,"  replied  the 
astrologer.  "I  will  bring  the  moon  from  heaven  to  show  you. 
Come  on." 

Advancing  to  the  genii  which  supported  the  central  golden 
bowl,  the  Ghebre  passed  under  it,  and  brought  out  a  large 
wooden  vessel  containing  water. 

"  Mount,"  he  said  to  the  officer,  "  to  the  edge  of  the  golden 
bowl,  and  I  will  hand  up  to  you  this  vessel  of  water.  Go  to 
the  centre  of  the.  bowl  and  place  the  vessel  there  carefully 
upon  the  coin.  Place  it  there  as  near  the  centre  as  your  eye 
can  judge,  and  then  wait  there  until  I  extinguish  all  these 
lamps." 

His  amazed  companion  obeyed  these  instructions,  placed  the 
vessel  of  water  in  the  centre'  of  the  golden  bowl,  and  then,  sit 
ting  in  the  midst  of  the  rattling  coin,  watched  Zenayi  extinguish 
all  the  lamps  by  a  pressure  upon  a  rod  which  ascended  one  of 
the  fluted  columns.  Instantly  all  was  darkness  impenetrable, 
save  in  the  centre  of  the  wooden  vessel  of  water.  There,  to 
the  astonishment  of  the  commander,  quivered  the  full  moon  of 
heaven.  The  water  grew  at  length  perfectly  still,  and  in  the 
centre  of  it  lay  the  calm,  full,  silver  image  of  the  moon.  The 
spectator  remembered  then  that  Canidia  the  sorceress  made 
the  moon  descend  from  heaven  by  her  enchantments,  and  so 
he  told  the  Ghebre. 

"  Look  up,  Alfonso,"  said  the  mysterious  priest  from  the 
midst  of  the  darkness,  "and  you  will  see  how  the  adventurous 
boy,  Cyrus,  discovered  the  existence  of  what  he  could  not  see, 
and  never  heard  of.  He  was  a  splendid  climber  among  the 
mountain  rocks,  and  you  will  see  where  he  dropped  stones  into 
impenetrable  darkness." 


IRENE.  113 

The  officer,  looking  up  through  the  circle  of  ivory  angels, 
detected  a  small  aperture  at  the  summit  of  the  cone  through 
which  the  moon  was  shining. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

"  ffis  brandished  sword  did  blind  men  with  its  beams  f 
His  arms  spread  wider  than  a  dragon's  wings ; 
His  sparkling  eyes,  replete  with  awful  fire, 
More  dazzled  and  drove  back  his  enemies, 
Than  mid-day  sunjierce  bent  against  their  faces. 
What  should  I  say  ?  his  deeds  exceed  all  speech  ; 
He  never  lifted  up  his  hand,  but  conquered". 

Henry  VI. 

DESERT  boundless,  where  the  sky  is  fire,  and  the 
soil  a  sea  of  flaming  sand.  Not  a  tree,  or  shrub,  or 
blade  of  grass  breaks  the  surface  of  the  interminable 
waste.  The  summer  air,  glowing  with  the  intense  fer 
vor  of  Solomon's  fountain  of  molten  brass  beats  upon  the  head 
of  the  unlucky  traveller,  until  he  sinks  to  earth  a  helpless,  wilted 
thing,  devoid  of  energy  or  hope.  To  augment  the  agony  of 
his  eyes  and  brain,  the  desert  is  radiant  with  the  effulgence 
of  lichen-like  tufts  of  salt.  These  at  intervals  widen  into 
miniature  lakes  of  white  dazzling  salt  an  inch  in  thickness,  upon 
which  the  full  blaze  of  the  sun  pours,  until  a  glare  is  reflected 
which  pierces  the  eyes  of  the  beholder  like  the  points  of  myriad 
daggers.  The  slightest  puff  of  wind  raises  the  volatile  dust  in 
clouds,  until  it  blinds  the  eyes  and  fills  the  nostrils  almost  to 
suffocation ;  and  the  ill-fated  victim,  falling  upon  the  sand,  covers 
his  head  in  his  mantle  to  breathe  until  the  stifling  agony  has 
passed  away.  The  streams  which  cross  at  long  intervals  the 
desert,  are  so  salt,  that  the  animals  even  refuse  to  drink.  The 
yielding  sand  beneath  the  feet  is  so  hot  in  the  ardent  glances, 
of  the  sun,  that  the  bare  hand  shrinks  from  touching  it.  The 
heat  which  floods  downward  from  the  red  orb  of  day,  appears 
to  come  in  successive  pulsations,  each  one  hotter  than  the  last, 
until  at  length  the  brain  reels  as  from  excessive  intoxication, 
and  the  vitality  for  further  advance  dies  out.  If  in  the  moment 
of  this  extreme  prostration  no  water  for  the  lips  and  forehead 
is  near,  the  man  dies  in  stupor.  Such  is  the  fearful  desert  of 
Khorassan. 


1 14  IRENE. 

The  order  was  peremptory,  and  the  army  marched.  The 
reluctant  commander  dared  not  disobey  his  sovereign.  But  he 
knew  full  well  an  enemy  at  the  court  had  gained  the  royal  ear. 
The  army  was  in  the  highest  state  of  efficiency,  and  he  had 
only  awaited  the  subsidence  of  the  summer  heats  to  cross  the 
desert.  The  soldiers  murmured,  not  at  their  commander,  but 
at  the  court  far  away  and  safe  under  the  shade  of  their  luxu 
rious  garden  trees  and  in  the  cool  recesses  of  their  baths.  Men 
who  had  never  flinched  before  the  onset  of  the  mounted  enemy 
were  appalled  at  the  remorseless  foe  which  awaited  them  in  the 
sands  and  the  sky.  But  the  magnetic  influence  and  energy  of 
tne  young  commander  were  equal  to  the  emergency.  He  ad 
dressed  the  troops  in  words  of  fire,  applauded  their  skill  and 
discipline,  and  promised  them  double  their  usual  allotment  of 
plunder  in  the  enemy's  country.  He  purchased  out  of  his 
secret  resources  a  large  number  of  camels,  and  loaded  them  with 
skins  fashioned  in  the  form  of  jars.  These  replenished  with 
water  from  the  mountain  springs  would  suffice  for  the  painful 
desert  journey.  Then,  with  every  precaution  taken  for  their 
subsistence  on  the  march,  he  led  his  troops  out  of  the  fertile 
plains  and  valley  of  Mourg-Aub,  passed  through  the  towns  of 
Aberkouh,  Deh  Shaheh,  and  Yezd,  and  entered  the  suffocating 
atmosphere  of  the  desert  of  Khorassan. 

Halting  by  day  and  marching  by  night,  according  to  the 
Oriental  custom,  the  army  were  protected  by  their  tents  from 
the  full  violence  of  the  summer  sun.  The  moonlight  glistened 
upon  the  moving  columns  arrayed  in  all  the  bright  colors  and 
fl^hing  armor  of  Asiatics.  With  their  Arabian  steeds  superbly 
caparisoned,  their  sabres  and  spear-heads  polished  to  unusual 
brilliancy,  and  their  camels  and  asses  covered  with  scarlet 
cloths,  the  five  thousand  cavalry  moved  on  through  the  moon 
lit  and  bewildered  Persian  towns  in  mysterious  magnificence 
and  discipline.  When  at  length  they  reached  the  treeless  desert 
and  their  horses'  hoofs  sank  into  the  yielding  sand  in  which  the 
heat  of  the  day  still  lingered,  they  were  cheered  on  in  their 
arduous  march  by  the  voice  and  ever-present  watchfulness  of 
their  commander.  The  inflexibility  of  his  character  came  out 
in  the  midst  of  the  fearful  ravages  of  the  simoom,  which  soon 
added  its  horrors  to  the  heats  and  dust  of  the  desert.  It  came 
at  length,  as  he  had  apprehended,  whistling  with  great  violence 
over  the  volatile  sands,  and  )>ouring  its  torrents  of  furnace  heat 
through  the  clouds  of  dust  it  raised  in  the  path  of  the  horrified 
army.  He  caused  the  kneeling  horses  and  their  riders,  together 


IRENE.  1 1 5 

with  the  asses  and  camels,  to  be  covered  with  the  tent-cloths 
which  he  had  stripped  from  their  poles.  Thus  they  were  in 
part  enabled  to  keep  from  their  nostrils  the  fiery  atmosphere 
which  swept  over  their  prostrate  forms.  Thus  were  most  of 
his  troops  and  their  animals  saved,  rising  at  length  to  their 
feet,  dusty  and  dizzy  from  the  hot  tornado  which  had  passed 
on  in  its  deadly  career.  The  dead  were  buried  under  the 
desert  sands,  and  the  survivors  marched  on. 

At  length,  as  the  army  advanced  near  to  the  frontiers  of 
Toorkomania,  there  arose  from  the  monotonous  sands  of  the 
desert  huge  barriers  of  naked  rocks,  standing  like  dark  spec 
tres  amid  the  arid  wastes.  The  number  of  these  mountain 
ridges  increased  with  every  night's  march,  until  one  morning, 
as  the  troops  were  about  to  halt,  and  pitch  their  tents  for  the 
day,  they  saw  before  them  a  vast  barrier  of  rocky  clitfs,  with 
an  intervening  gorge  which  they  must  cross  to  gain  the  terri 
tory  of  the  enemy  on  the  plateau  above,  and  level  with  the 
summits  of  the  barrier.  Across  the  gorge  in  one  spot  alone 
was  there  a  passage,  and  that  was  a  natural  inclined  plain 
of  rock,  some  three  hundred  feet  in  breadth,  and  rising  from 
the  level  plain  of  the  desert  with  a  gentle  ascent  to  the  very 
level  of  the  overhanging  cliffs.  Solid  columns  of  cavalry  could 
with  easy  pace  ascend  the  inclined  plain  to  the  plateau  on  the 
cliffs,  and  look  down  on  either  hand  into  the  gloomy  depths  of 
the  gorge  as  they  passed  across  and  upward.  But  an  un 
manageable  steed  might  easily  back  himself  and  his  rider  off 
either  edge  of  this  rocky  crossing  to  instant  death.  The  guide 
to  the  territory  of  the  Turcomans,  employed  by  the  commander 
of  this  superb  body  of  horse,  had  notified  him  of  the  existence  of 
this  romantic  crossing  at  the  enemy's  frontier,  had  expatiated 
upon  the  wild  grandeur  of  the  locality,  and  aroused  his  curiosity 
to  view  the  place.  At  the  same  time  he  had  warned  the  com 
mander  of  the  dangerous  character  of  the  position  should  the 
foe  learn  of  his  advance  and  seize  it  for  the  purpose  of  dis 
puting  the  passage.  There  were  other  less  difficult  means  of 
access  to  the  Turcoman  territory,  but  they  would  necessitate  a 
longer  delay  in  the  burning  sands  of  the  desert.  The  com 
mander,  secure  in  the  secrecy  with  which  he  had  veiled  his  entire 
plans,  anticipated  no  resistance  on  the  border,  and  was  de 
termined  to  see  the  natural  bridge  over  the  gorge.  What  was 
his  amazement,  then,  upon  glancing  up  the  inclined  plain  and 
running  his  eyes  along  the  edge  of  the  plateau,  to  discover  that 
both  were  densely  crowded  with  the  dark  masses  of  the  enemy, 


Il6  IRENE. 

like  scowling  thunder-clouds  awaiting  the  advent  of  the  sun 
light,  to  pour  down  upon  his  little  army  with  overwhelming 
fury.  An  older  and  more  experienced  soldier  might  well  have 
been  appalled.  His  force  was  outnumbered  four  to  one.  The 
advantages  of  the  ground  were  in  their  favor,  whether  they 
chose  to  dispute  the  passage  or  to  advance  in  overwhelming 
force  down  upon  his  command.  His  own  troops  had  been 
upon  the  march  all  night ;  how  fresh  the  myriads  of  Tur 
comans  on  the  ascent  and  cliffs  might  be,  was  enigmatical. 
They  were  there  to  crush  him,  and  the  chances  were  in  their 
favor.  Perfect  and  matchless  discipline  seemed  alone  in  favor 
of  the  young  soldier.  Ha  !  another  favorable  indication  burst 
upon  the  ear  of  the  Persian  commander.  It  was  the  yell  of 
defiance  from  his  troops,  who  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  reality  of 
their  danger.  As  the  morning  sun  flushed  the  eastern  sky,  the 
Persian  horse,  looking  up,  saw  the  enemy,  whose  lances  gleamed 
through  the  clouds  of  dust  raised  by  their  horses  like  fire  be 
hind  a  dark  curtain.  The  Turcoman  horsemen  returned  the 
yell  of  the  Persian  cavalry.  From  cliff  to  cliff  their  war-cry 
was  taken  up,  and  the  successive  peals  of  mortal  defiance  told 
plainly  enough  how  greatly  the  royal  horse  were  outnumbered. 
But  to  this  grander  demonstration  the  Persians  again  hurled 
back  their  contemptuous  defiance. 

The  superb  courage  of  his  troops  thrilled  the  heart  of  the 
young  commander,  and  his  orders  were  then  delivered  with 
great  rapidity  and  clearness.  The  bugles  cheerily  sounded  for 
the  evolutions,  the  squadrons  of  horse  wheeled  swiftly  to  the 
front,  and  the  baggage  was  sent  far  away  to  the  rear. 

From  his  rocky  altitude  the  Turcoman  chief  had  looked  down 
and  maintained  an  ominous  silence.  Secure  of  his  prey,  and 
with  his  swarms  of  lancers  massed  for  a  terrible  charge  down  the 
rocky  hill,  he  had  remained  passive.  Confident  of  the  speedy 
annihilation  of  the  little  army  below  him,  he  had  awaited  the  first 
manifestation  of  their  terror  and  panic  and  consequent  flight. 
The  Oriental  horses  are  cultivated  with  an  especial  eye  to  their 
powers  of  endurance  in  long  flights,  when  victory  has  become 
impossible  for  their  masters.  By  the  speed  of  the  Persian 
horses  alone  could  the  plans  of  the  Turcoman  chief  be  frus 
trated.  Thus  he  reasoned,  and  was  watching  for  the  disorgani 
zation  and  flight  of  the  little  army  confronting  him.  What  was 
his  ama/.ement  then  to  hear  their  defiant  cry,  and  to  witness  the 
instant  rapidity  of  their  movements  in  some  novel  and  orderly 
plan  of  battle.  Three  thousand  horsemen  were  thrown  forward 


IRENE.  II/ 

in  column,  confronting  the  inclined  plain,  and  the  remaining 
two  thousand,  who  were  regiments  of  lancers,  were  wheeled 
away  to  the  right  and  left  of  this  solid  column,  and  facing  its 
sides.  It  was  evident  enough  that  if  these  lancers  maintained 
their  position,  they  would  be  possessed  of  the  power  to  strike 
his  Turcomans  on  either  flank,  when  they  had  charged  far 
enough  down  on  to  the  desert  He  was  not  prepared,  how 
ever,  for  the  next  movement  of  the  young  commander,  who 
rode  to  the  head  of  the  solid  column  of  horsemen  armed  only 
with  sabres  and  pistols,  raised  his  sabre  vertically  to  the  full 
length  of  his  arm,  and  gave  the  command,  march.  The  bugles 
sounded  fearlessly,  the  horses  approached  the  enemy  at  a  trot. 
The  heroic  Persians  were  advancing  to  attack.  The  green 
and  red  banner,  stamped  with  golden  crescents,  was  rashly  and 
madly  ascending  the  hill,  which  barely  could  hold  the  densely 
crowded  lancers  of  Toorkomania.  Soon  the  clatter  of  hoofs 
sounded  upon  the  rocky  ascent,  the  dark  visages  of  the  Tur 
comans  began  to  come  out  distinctly  from  the  late  confused 
mass  of  their  high  fur  caps,  the  blue  and  red  stripes  of  their 
long  baronnees  became  more  clearly  marked,  their  steel  spear 
heads  with  four  flutes  glistened  close  at  hand,  and  their  glit 
tering,  vengeful  black  eyes  were  seen  full  of  hate  for  the  hos 
tile  " Kuzzilbashes"  Within  eighty  paces  of  the  Turcoman 
lances  the  command,  "  march,  march,"  was  given,  the  bugles 
sounded  the  charge,  and  the  Persian  horse,  with  the  elan  of 
tigers,  and  sabre  in  hand,  dashed  into  the  ranks  of  their  foes. 
Their  pistol  balls  fully  compensated  for  the  disadvantages  of 
the  rising  ground,  and  every  shot  that  missed  its  object  told 
with  fearful  effect  upon  another  man  or  horse  behind  and  higher. 
But  many  a  Turcoman  lance  bathed  in  Persian  blood,  and  the 
narrow,  rocky  battle-field  grew  more  cumbersome  at  every  cut 
of  sabre  Amid  a  confused  clashing  of  arms  and  the  sharp 
report  of  pistol  shots,  " Sunnitcs"  and  " Sheeans"  fought  each 
other  with  the  genuine  fury  of  religious  partisans.  The  follow 
ers  of  the  Arab  Prophet  slaughtered  each  other  without  mercy, 
and  fell  together  ghastly  and  dying  under  the  trampling  hoofs 
of  horses.  There  was  no  soil  to  suck  up  the  blood  of  the  stern 
conflict,  and  the  red  rivulets  ran  down  the  sloping  rock  and 
added  horror  to  the  fallen  faces  of  the  dead  below. 

Destroyed  by  a  false  estimate  of  their  own  strength,  the  ad 
vanced  squadrons  of  the  Turcomans  found  their  centre  pierced 
by  the  energetic,  heroic,  and  indomitable  commander,  who  held 
his  cavalry  firmly  and  steadily  to  their  work.  Pushing,  cutting, 


1 1 8  IRENE. 

trampling  ahead  in  a  compact  body  to  the  one  object  in  view, 
namely,  to  secure  a  central  point  in  the  huddled  masses  of  the 
foe  whence  he  could  push  them  on  either  side  back  to  the  edge 
of  the  precipice,  the  commander  led  his  horsemen.  They  had 
been  instructed  to  cling  closely  together,  and  to  follow  the  flash 
of  his  sabre.  He  cut  his  way  thus  steadily  onward  and  upward 
through  the  masses  of  the  foe,  who  could  not  fall  back  towards 
the  summit  from  the  crowd  of  horsemen  who  impeded  their 
retreat.  Attaining,  after  heroic  combat  for  an  hour,  the  centre 
of  the  inclined  plain  and  of  the  enemy  huddled  upon  it,  his 
column  parted  through  the  middle,  the  upper  half  pushing  still 
onward  and  upward,  while  the  lower  half,  dividing  into  two 
parties,  wheeled  to  the  right  and  left,  and  pushed  the  enemy 
towards  the  edges  of  the  horrible  gorge.  Backward  and  still 
backward  the  indomitable  Persians  now  pushed  the  enemy  in 
three  directions,  as  they  had  often  done  in  their  mock  battles 
on  the  plain  of  Mourg-Aub.  Their  own  ranks  were  fearfully 
decimated,  but  their  ardor  grew  with  their  success.  Disci 
pline  and  their  pistols,  with  which  they  had  been  abundantly 
supplied,  gave  double  victory  to  their  sabres,  which  outweighed 
the  long  lances  of  the  enemy,  crowded  together  as  they  were, 
and  unable  to  bring  them  into  effective  use.  The  Turcoman 
horsemen  near  the  edge  of  the  gorge  felt  the  backward  pres 
sure  of  their  comrades  upon  them.  The  scattering  bullets 
wounded  their  horses  and  rendered  them  frantic  and  unman 
ageable.  Steed  pressed  against  steed,  and  rider  shouted  to 
rider;  but  still  a  greater  and  more  terrible  pressure  came 
upon  both  from  the  centre  of  the  battle-field,  where  the 
!Vr>ians  were  cutting  down  rank  after  rank  and  still  pushing 
the  solid  mass  backward  slowly  but  surely.  At  length  a 
pistol  shot  cut  the  neck  of  a  Turcoman  horse  standing  near 
the  gorge.  The  animal  plunged  madly  to  one  side,  and  drove 
the  next  horse  and  rider  over  the  edge.  The  hoof  of  the 
beast's  hind  leg  slid  over  the  edge  of  the  chasm,  he  lost  his 
balance,  his  flank  sank  downward,  his  head  and  neck  swung 
backward,  and  with  a  scream  of  mortal  terror  the  rider  fell  with 
his  steed  through  space  into  the  unknown  depths.  In  his 
frantic  struggle  to  regain  his  foothold  the  lost  steed  had  fright 
ened  other  horses.  They  plunged,  reared,  and  screamed  in 
their  terror,  and  in  their  mad  struggles  drove  other  horsemen 
over  the  edge.  Hoarse  words  of  command  to  the  frantic 
steeds,  oaths  and  yells  of  despair  from  the  lost  riders  poising 
for  an  instant  on  the  edge  of  the  chasm,  ere  they  fell  forever, 


IRENE.  1 19 

blended  with  the  clash  of  sabres  and  the  crack  of  pistol  shots. 
Every  instant  the  situation  grew  more  appalling,  for  with  fierce 
yells  of  triumph  those  disciplined  and  heroic  bands  of  Persian 
horse  hewed  their  way  onward  and  outward  from  the  centre, 
cutting  down  the  Turcoman  riders  and  sending  their  wounded 
horses  trampling  and  terrified,  backward  into  the  surging  masses 
of  the  foe.  The  rear  ranks  of  the  lancers,  iinable  to  fight  or 
to  flee,  were  pushed  by  inches  towards  the  gorge,  struggled  like 
demons  for  an  instant  on  the  edge  of  death,  and  then  were 
flung  by  the  pressure,  heels  in  air,  down  into  the  horrible  void, 
a  flying,  shapeless  mass  of  heads,  hoofs,  hands,  lances,  striped 
garments,  and  human  trunks  of  writhing  flesh,  falling  downward 
through  space,  to  be  crushed  in  pieces  on  the  rocks  below  as  in 
the  Mohammedan  "  Al  Hotama "  of  hell.  The  Turcoman 
chief  from  his  commanding  position  saw  this  terrible  catastro 
phe  result  on  both  edges  of  the  gorge,  and  the  shapeless  masses 
of  his  troops  falling  through  space.  And  still  remorselessly 
pressed  onward  the  two  divisions  of  the  Persian  horse,  pushing 
the  remnants  of  his  lancers  towards  the  edge.  Unable  to  ad 
vance  fresh  bodies  of  his  troops  to  the  assistance  of  those  at 
the  front,  so  encumbered  with  his  own  horsemen  was  the 
narrow  way,  he  saw  no  hope  of  ultimate  triumph,  save  in  the 
exhaustion  of  the  little  body  of  horse  that  were  fighting  stub 
bornly  up  the  hill  straight  for  his  centre.  Under  the  immediate 
eye  and  leadership  of  their  commander,  and  some  fifteen  hun 
dred  strong,  this  division  of  horse  were  fighting  their  way  stead 
ily  up  the  rise.  The.  sabre  of  the  Persian  commander  once 
dazzlingly  bright  like  Colada,  the  gold  hilted  sword  of  the  Cid, 
was  now  crimsoned  with  blood.  Wherever  he  struck,  death 
followed ;  his  path  was  strewn  with  the  fallen,  and  terror  rode 
with  him  on  his  fierce  career  of  destruction.  In  the  magnetism 
of  his  onset  and  his  ringing  voice  of  encouragement,  his  follow 
ers  faced  and  trampled  down  every  obstacle,  and  the  terrified 
foe  would  have  fled  had  there  been  an  outlet  behind  them  at 
the  summit.  But  the  Turcoman  chief  held  steadily  and  per 
sistently  in  their  place  the  riders  whom  he  could  not  advance 
to  the  succor  of  their  fellows.  Tmsting  to  the  exhaustion  of 
his  foe  by  the  sheer  opposition  of  numbers,  he  watched  the 
stern  conflict,  saw  his  horsemen  at  last  entirely  cut  down  or 
hurled  over  the  edges  of  the  gorge,  and  the  victorious  squad 
rons  with  shouts  of  triumph  ascend  the  hill  to  the  assistance  of 
their  commander. 

The  victorious  detachments  were  not  a  moment  too  soon. 


1 20  IRENE. 

The  commander  had  fought  his  way  nearly  to  the  summit,  and 
they  had  to  reach  him  over  ghastly  heaps  of  the  slain.  Their 
exultant  cries  as  they  leaped  the  piles  of  the  dead  and  dying, 
and  sprang  up  the  slope  to  the  rescue,  awakened  fresh  enthusi 
asm  in  the  ranks  of  their  friends.  The  Turcomans,  by  their 
failure  to  avail  themselves  in  the  first  instance  of  their  superioi 
position,  and  to  charge  down  upon  the  ascending  foe  when 
momentum  was  everything  to  their  cavalry,  had  now  to  fight  on 
nearly  equal  terms.  They  fell  like  sheep  before  the  fierce  riders 
of  Persia,  who  seemed  to  be  fired  by  the  personal  heroism  and 
dash  of  their  commander.  Wherever  the  fiery  Al  Borak  and 
his  rider  dashed  into  the  crowded  ranks  of  the  enemy,  there 
was  a  shrinking  back  of  the  Turcomans,  rapid  flashes  of  a  sabre, 
ghastly  wounds,  and  a  flight  of  riderless  horses  that  plunged 
and  floundered  away  upward  amid  the  solid  mass  of  troopers, 
or,  springing  into  the  air,  attempted  to  force  their  way  over  the 
necks  of  the  Persian  horses.  Balisardo,  the  enchanted  sword 
of  Ruggiero,  cut  no  more  deadly  swaths  than  the  blade  of  this 
terrible  leader.  His  energy  and  skill  cleared  a  broad  path  for 
his  followers,  and  pouring  in  behind  him,  they  widened  the 
breach,  and  neared  the  summit  of  the  hill.  Then  came  that 
terrible  order  again.  The  column  parted  into  three  divisions, 
and  a  second  time  were  the  Turcomans  hurled  headlong  off  the 
sides  into  the  gorge.  The  commander  of  the  Persians  now 
discerned  that  one  bold,  impetuous  push  alone  was  required  to 
gain  the  level  plain  at  the  summit.  Braining  with  his  sabre  the 
Turcoman  immediately  opposing  him,  he  turned  in  his  saddle, 
and  glanced  back  over  the  plain.  Then  followed  a  word  of 
command.  The  trumpeter  who  clung  close  to  him  sounded  a 
call  for  the  lancers  at  the  foot  of  the  hill.  They  came  dashing 
up  the  slope  with  alacrity.  They  gained  the  summit  at  the 
instant  their  commander  reached  it  in  triumph,  and  saw  the 
baffled  chief  of  the  Turcomans  dash  forward  to  intercept  the 
advance  with  a  fresh  body  of  lancers.  But  the  impetuosity  of 
the  Persians  knew  no  bounds.  They  cut  their  way  again  to  the 
centre,  shot  down  the  commanding  chief,  and  routed  his  lan 
cers.  Then  came  a  brilliant  running  cavalry  fight  over  the  plain, 
the  Turcomans  striving  to  escape,  the  Persians  determined  to 
slay  every  man.  Far  away  over  the  new  desert  scattered  the 
combatants  in  the  full  blaze  of  the  Oriental  sun.  Long  bamboo 
lances  drank  the  blood  of  men  and  horses.  Steeds  and  riders 
fell  headlong  in  their  swift  career,  quivering  in  the  agonies  of 
death,  or  like  frantic  demons  held  on  their  course  to  escape, 


IRENE.  121 

shaking  off  every  impediment,  and  flying  onward  through  clouds 
of  dust  and  over  glowing  wastes  of  sand. 

When  evening  came  (for  they  had  fought  all  day)  the  Per 
sian  commander  reined  in  his  steed  and  recalled  his  scattered 
forces.  His  victorious  troops  were  almost  agonized  to  death 
with  fatigue,  and  thirst,  and  heat.  But  a  superhuman  strength 
of  endurance  was  conspicuous  in  their  chief;  and  when  the 
recall  was  sounded,  he  dispatched  messengers  with  orders  to 
hurry  up  the  camel  train  with  water  for  the  suffering  and  ex 
hausted.  Superintending  every  movement  for  the  resuscitation 
of  his  men,  he  rode  amongst  them,  and  gave  orders  for  the  en 
campment,  and  for  the  night.  At  length  the  baggage-train  ar 
rived  upon  the  conquered  field,  and  gradually  order  and  silence 
reigned  where  battle  and  blood  had  held  high  revel. 

As  the  shadows  of  the  night  settled  upon  the  camps  and 
obscured  the  watchful  sentinels,  the  commander  rode  forth 
alone  to  the  scene  of  his  heroic  struggle'  at  the  cliffs.  Back 
ward  to  the  gorge  he  slowly  moved  upon  the  back  of  his  faith 
ful  Al  Borak,  knowing  that  the  moon  would  ere  long  illuminate 
the  battle-field  with  almost  the  clearness  of  day.  Yielding  a 
free  rein  to  his  horse,  he  rode  on  in  profound  thought.  That 
eventful  day  had  been  a  grand  day  for  him  and  his  friends. 
His  jealous  enemies  at  the  court  had  been  baffled.  They  had 
urged  upon  the  monarch  this  premature  advance  to  ruin  the 
aspiring  officer.  He  had  triumphed  over  a  prepared  enemy. 
Some  one  had  notified  the  Turcoman  chief  of  his  advance.  He 
was  satisfied  that  the  officers  who  were  his  foes  at  Teheran  had 
dispatched  a  secret  messenger  to  Toorkomania.  Zenayi,  who 
learned  all  the  court  intrigue  from  Irene,  had  warned  him  of 
the  cabal  against  him,  but  advised  him  to  obey  the  sovereign 
promptly,  and  inarch.  Now,  the  noble  heart  of  the  Ghebre 
would  be  thrilled  by  the  splendor  of  his  victory.  Persia  would 
ring  with  his  name.  The  brilliant  Irene  would  be  proud  of  the 
young  commander  whose  cause  she  had  so  enthusiastically 
espoused.  Aye  !  more.  The  mysterious  beauty  of  the  ande- 
roon,  to  whom  he  had  vowed  eternal  affection,  and  who  had 
secured  his  appointment  to  the  command  of  the  expedition, 
would  rejoice  as  only  a  lover  could  at  the  laurels  won  by  her 
idol.  The  fame  of  his  skillful  generalship  would  ensure  him 
high  consideration  with  Abbas  Mir/a,  and  consequently  witu 
the  Shah.  It  had  been  his  hard  task  to  conquer  difficulties  as 
well  as  foes.  He  had  gathered  an  army,  formed  it  into  a  well- 
trained  and  thoroughly  equipped  corps,  fit  for  active  and  dis- 
6 


122  IRENE, 

tant  service,  and  had  accomplished  this  glorious  victory  under 
adverse  and  discouraging  circumstances.  The  plan  he  had 
projected  for  bringing  the  campaign  to  a  brilliant  close  had 
been  obliterated  by  the  new  plan  which  he  had  conceived  and 
executed  like  lightning,  when  the  unexpected  contingency  and 
opportunity  arose  in  his  path.  His  troops  would  bear  the 
knowledge  of  his  prompt  and  efficient  military  skill  to  their 
homes.  His  own  self-knowledge  had  been  suddenly  augmented. 
He  had  demonstrated  his  ability  to  grapple  with  unforeseen 
obstacles.  And  he  knew  this  power  of  eagle-eyed  discernment 
and  lightning  execution,  was  an  attribute  of  military  genius.  It 
was  with  emotions,  then,  of  pride  and  exultation  that  he  reined 
his  steed  to  a  halt  upon  the  summit  of  the  cliff,  and  endeavored 
to  penetrate  the  gloom  below  him. 

Darkness  for  a  few  seconds  lingered  with  its  sceptre.  Then 
its  realm  was  invaded.  Far  away  above  the  horizon  a  light 
appeared.  It  grew  clearer,  larger,  brighter,  Then  in  full 
effulgence  burst  forth  the  Evening  Star.  So  pure,  so  majestic, 
so  lovely,  so  peaceful,  glowed  the  heavenly  light,  that  the  com 
mander  was  entranced.  He  clasped  his  hands  above  the  neck 
of  his  steed,  and  gazed  upon  it,  while  memories  sweet,  bewitch 
ing,  and  tender  floated  up  from  the  past.  Persia  and  its  pas 
sions  were  forgotten.  The  sweetness  of  his  boyhood,  with  its 
young  hopes,  and  the  tender  kindness  and  sympathy  of  one  face 
that  had  pleaded  for  him  in  his  despair,  were  all  he  remem 
bered,  and  burying  his  face  in  his  hands  he  sobbed  aloud,  "  'Tis 
Madeleine's  star  ;  ah  !  'tis  Madeleine's  star." 


CHAPTER    XV. 

|E  had  not  eaten  of  the  lotus ;  he  had  not  forgotten  his 
country.  Years  had  passed  away,  and  his  intellect  had 
become  the  intellect  of  a  man.  But  amid  the  turmoil 
of  camps  and  the  engrossing  objects  of  ambition,  the 
memory  of  Madeleine  had  ever  come  to  him  with  the  advent 
of  the  evening  star.  It  was  like  the  distant  music  of  a  dream, 
the  recollection  of  the  lovely  girl  who  had  interceded  for  him  in 
the  hour  of  ignominy.  When  his  proud,  boyish  heart  was  on 
the  point  of  being  crushed  by  inexorable  fate,  this  radiant  being 


IRENE.  123 

in  her  purity  had  espoused  his  cause,  and  then  cheered  and 
stimulated  him  forward  in  the  path  of  ambition.  He  remem 
bered  her.  girl  as  she  was,  as  a  passionless,  pure,  self-sus 
tained,  and  self-dependent  being  —  a  princess  in  whom  all  the 
virtues  centred,  and  whom  exquisite  beauty  crowned.  But  in 
the  bewildering  transformations  of  his  career  since  he  had 
parted  from  her  the  memory  of  his  boyhood's  queen  had  be 
come  dim,  and  he  thought  of  her  only  at  intervals,  when  in 
silence  the  evening  star  glorified  the  night. 

But  now,  in  the  hour  of  his  great  success,  when  he  had  gained 
the  distinction  she  had  years  ago  predicted  for  him  and  urged 
him  to,  this  lovely  star,  arising  in  matchless  brilliancy  upon  his 
own  great  battle-field,  recalled  the  boyish  dreams  in  all  their 
fervor,  and  he  wept  at  the  sweet  thoughts  of  Madeleine.  The 
poor  outcast  and  friendless  convict  boy  had  shivered  all  the 
opposition  of  fate,  and  created  his  own  destiny  of  power.  Great 
thoughts  had  usurped  the  throne  of  his  heart,  he  had  trampled 
upon  boundless  wealth,  his  soul  was  enlarged,  his  ambition  was 
more  exalted,  and  great  intellects  were  already  leaning  towards 
him  in  admiration.  The  wonderful  Ghebre  had  condescended 
to  admire  him,  and  the  brilliant  Irene  had  deemed  him  worthy 
of  her  high-toned,  aristocratic  regard.  The  worthiest  master 
minds  of  Persia  regarded  him  as  essential  to  the  glory  and  tri 
umphs  of  the  Empire.  Where  would  he  have  been  upon  this 
glorious  night  had  Madeleine  and  her  kindred  passed  him  by 
in  scorn,  as  the  world  had  done  ?  The  convict's  cell  and  the 
prison  lash  would  have  been  his  destiny. 

As  he  gazed  upon  the  star  he  wondered  at  his  own  heart.  It 
was  beating  at  this  moment,  not  for  the  lovely  unknown  of  the 
royal  anderoon  to  whom  he  had  pledged  his  eternal  fidelity, 
but  for  a  long-forgotten  and  distant  child.  How  vividly  he  re 
called  now  those  dark,  glorious  eyes,  and  the  wonderful  shower 
oC  her  golden  hair,  and  the  tender  sympathy  of  that  face  which 
had  smiled  upon  the  deserted  and  outcast  boy  in  his  agony  and 
his  loneliness  of  soul.  And  with  that  memory  came  a  vague 
consciousness  that  she  was  purer,  that  far-off  child,  than  any 
woman  he  had  encountered  upon  Persian  soil ;  that  she  would 
frown  upon  what  Irene  approved  in  policy,  and  would  bid  him 
cast  aside  as  pernicious  and  unworthy  all  counsel  that  savored 
of  deceit  and  secret  ways.  And  as  he  pondered  on  her  distant 
loveliness  he  wondered  if  she  had  grown  beyond  his  power  to 
identify  her,  if  she  were  alive  and  radiant  in  the  more  mature 
loveliness  of  womanhood.  And  while  he  dreamed  thus  of  his 


1 24  IRENE. 

boyish  love  and  the  unaccountable  conviction  in  his  mind  of 
her  superior  purity  and  exaltation  of  character  above  Oriental 
women,  he  was  sei/ed  with  a  sudden  sense  of  shame  that  he 
roving  for  the  moment  disloyal  to  her  to  whom  he  had 
given  solemn  vows.  He  shook  off  then  the  dream  of  Made 
leine,  and  vowed  anew  his  allegiance  to  the  veiled  charmer  of 
the  anderoon,  the  unknown  beauty  who  loved  him  and  had 
gained  for  him  the  separate  command  which  had  immortalized 
him  before  the  world.  He  longed  once  more  for  the  hour  when 
he  should  lay  his  sword  and  honors  at  the  feet  of  his  lovely  mis 
tress,  and  plead  for  the  withdrawal  of  the  mysterious  veil. 

While  he  exulted  in  the  thought  of  his  secret  and  exalted 
mistress,  the  moon  arose  and  illumined  the  ghastly  faces  of  the 
battle-field,  and  upon  his  ear  broke  the  low  moans  of  the 
wounded  and  the  dying.  So  terrible  had  been  the  exhaustion  of 
the  long  conflict,  that  he  had  forbidden  his  troops  to  succor  the 
wounded  or  bury  the  dead.  The  victorious  army  had  fallen 
to  the  ground  in  dreamless  sleep.  The  commander  alone  re 
viewed  the  dead  and  the  mangled  victims  of  tiie  conflict. 

As  the  wondrous  effulgence  of  the  Oriental  moon  waxed  more 
powerful  with  every  moment's  flight,  objects  became  more 
clearly  visible,  and  he  rode  slowly  down  the  declivity  to  view 
the  scene  of  the  more  stubborn  conflict.  His  horse's  hoofs 
necessarily  trod  upon  the  dead,  so  densely  were  they  piled  about 
upon  the  sloping  rock.  But  he  avoided  the  wounded,  many  of 
whom  recognized  him  and  called  to  him.  He  bade  them  keep 
heart,  and  wait  patiently,  if  they  could,  for  the  morning,  when 
their  exhausted  comrades  would  come  to  their  aid.  The  poor 
mutilated  wretches  often  hushed  their  piteous  cries  for  help 
when  they  realized  that  they  were  not  deserted.  Persia  had 
triumphed,  and  for  many  of  them  there  was  hope  on  the  morrow. 
They  knew  that  their  beloved  commander  alone  had  returned  to 
them  in  consequenceof  his  more  firmly  knit  constitution  of  iron, 
and  his  unbounded  watchfulness  and  tenderness  for  his  (rippled 
heroes.  He  was  there  alone,  self  denying,  and  thoughtful  for 
them,  and  planning  for  their  relief  on  the  morrow.  Hut  the  scene 
was  ghastly  in  the  extreme,  and  now  that  the  light  of  battle  had 
died  out  in  his  eyes,they  wore  the  expression  of  gentleness  and 
pity.  There  were  heaps  of  the  dead  and  the  dying  mingled 
promiscuously  with  the  slightly  wounded,  the  latter  too  weak 
from  loss, of  blood  to  extricate  themselves  from  the  superin 
cumbent  mass  of  dead  flesh  which  suffocated  them.  Many  of 
li«;  drew  out  from  their  torture  and  laid  more  comfortably 


IRENE.  125 

upon  the  pillowing  bosoms  of  the  dead.  Frantic  steeds  of  the 
desert,  in  the  agony  of  their  wounds,  plunged  about,  unable  to 
rise  in  their  crippled  condition,  but  rearing  partially  upon  their 
fore-legs,  and  dealing  death  with  their  crushing  hoofs  upon  the 
heads  of  the  wounded.  And  ever  and  anon  the  foam  of  their 
gasping  fell  upon  the  pale  faces  of  the  fallen  troopers  as  they 
turned  over  and  around  in  their  brute  agony.  And  there  were 
fearful  sounds  of  brute  and  human  agony  arising  at  intervals 
from  the  depths  of  either  abyss,  where  man  and  beast  had  fallen 
off  to  destruction.  The  moonbeams  fell  upon  masses  of 
quivering  flesh,  severed  arms,  bleeding  stumps,  eyeless  sockets 
where  the  bullets  had  travelled  on  their  destructive  mission,  and 
skulls  cloven  to  the  brain  by  the  sabre,  or  transfixed  with  the 
bamboo  lance.  The  spots  of  rock  untenanted  by  prostrate 
masses  of  flesh  were  slippery  with  blood  and  gore.  The  com 
mander,  already  smeared  and  spotted  with  the  red  stains  which 
had  dripped  and  spattered  upon  him  from  his  own  uplifted  sabre 
in  the  fury  of  the  combat,  now  slipped  in  the  pools  of  blood 
upon  the  rock  as  he  led  Al  Borak  over  and  amid  the  heaps  of 
the  slain. 

"And  this  is  the  penalty  of  glory,"  he  muttered,  as  he  slowly 
made  his  way  over  the  rock.  But  then  there  came  to  him  the 
memory  of  the  horrible  outrages  upon  men,  women,  and  chil 
dren  committed  upon  Persian  soil  by  these  lawless  invaders. 
"  It  is  human  justice,"  he  added,  solemnly.  "According  to  the 
testimony  of  the  wise  and  good  in  every  age  and  country,  merci 
less  invaders  must  be  terrified  by  the  retaliation  of  wholesale 
slaughter.  The  brute  in  man  must  be  restrained  by  brute  re 
taliation.  Murder  has  become  sanctified  by  usage  and  exalted 
to  the  dignity  of  patriotism,  heroism.  Christian  and  Moham 
medan  alike  sanction  the  code  of  slaughter.  So  upon  their 
joint  creeds  I  shall  mount  to  the  pedestal  of  glory." 

He  paused  at  length  in  the  middle  of  the  inclined  plain  of 
rock,  with  the  mutilated  corpses  on  every  side  of  him,  and  looked 
out  upon  the  dim  sand  desert  at  the  foot  of  the  declivity.  Dis 
tant  lines  of  shadows  seemed  to  lie  along  the  plain  below.  He 
started  in  amazement  after  a  moment's  steady  gaze.  The  sha 
dows  seemed  to  draw  nearer.  He  looked  more  narrowly,  to 
satisfy  himself  there  was  no  optical  illusion.  He  caught  the 
glisten  of  steel  running  along  the  lines  of  shadow.  The  moon 
beams  were  his  friends.  They  revealed  the  shimmer  of  spear 
heads.  The  shadowy  lines  were  approaching,  surely  and 
stealthily.  The  star-points  crowning  the  dark  lines  grew  in 


126  IRENE, 

number  and  distinctness  every  instant.  He  saw  they  were 
sweeping  down  upon  the  gorge.  They  wen.-  heading  for  the  in 
clined  battle-field.  His  ramp  would  be  surprised.  With  the 
quickness  of  his  military  instinct  he  detected  the  night  strata 
gem,  turned  the  head  of  Al  IJorak  up  the  hill,  sprang  to  the 
saddle,  and  vaulted  upward  over  the  heaps  of  the  slain  as  best 
he  could.  It  mattered  not  now  where  the  steed's  hoofs  fell, 
whether  upon  the  face  of  Turcoman  or  Persian,  friend  or  foe. 
The  military  instinct  was  predominant,  and  his  sleeping  troops 
must  be  saved. 

Al  Borak  seemed  to  scent  the  danger  and  share  the  alarm  of 
his  master.  With  fearful  leaps  he  cleared  the  piles  of  the  slain, 
trampled  over  the  helpless  countenances  upturned  to  the  moon, 
and  sped  away  upward  with  the  activity  of  a  demon.  Without 
a  moment's  sleep  or  rest;  the  commander  must  Hing  himself  into 
the  toils  of  another  battle.  Fresh  bodies  of  the  enemy,  fierce 
masses  of  desert  riders,  were  sweeping  forward  to  surprise  his 
exhausted  and  slumbering  forces.  He  cleared  the  battle-field 
with  the  swiftness  possible  'only  to  the  superb  steed  of  Khoras- 
san  he  rode,  he  reached  the  cliffs,  he  flew  away  over  the  sands 
of  the  upper  desert,  he  darted  through  the  line  of  the  watchful 
sentinels,  flinging  to  them  the  pass-word  as  he  bounded  into  the 
camp,  and  then  his  clarion  tones  of  command  aroused  the  sleep 
ing  squadrons.  Exhausted  as  they  were,  they  grasped  their 
weapons,  the  horses  were  rapidly  turned  out  into  the  plain  for 
battle,  the  lines  were  formed  with  marvellous  rapidity,  the  bugles 
sounded  the  orders  clear  and  startling  in  the  moonlight,  and 
order  ensued  from  the  confusion  of  the  first  alarm.  Fortunately 
for  the  Persian  commander,  his  troops  had  been  thoroughly  dis 
ciplined  at  Mourg-Aub  for  surprises.  He  had  tried  them  often 
arid  persistently  with  the  midnight  alarm.  They  were  soon  in 
battle  array,  and  their  celerity  of  movement  was  marvellous. 
Scarcely  had  they  slept  an  hour;  but  the  routine  of  discipline 
was  triumphant,  and  the  royal  horse  were  ready. 

As  they  sat  motionless  in  their  saddles  awaiting  the  foe,  and 
relying  with  unbounded  confidence  upon  the  skill  of  their  com 
mander,  who  appeared  to  them  now  the  very  impersonation  of 
invincibility,  tljey  could  detect  near  at  hand  a  sullen  tlnui,  as 
of  hoofs  trampling  upon  human  tlesh.  The  desert  riders  of 
Toorkomania  were  mounting  by  thousands  the  inclined  rocky 
passage  over  the  gorge,  and  were  crushing  under  foot  the  masses 
of  fallen  humanity.  The  brother  of  the  fallen  chief  had  met 
a  fugitive  from  the  disastrous  battle-field,  and  was  hastening 


IRENE.  127 

onward  to  surprise  the  victors  with  a  fresh  body  of  Turcomans. 
He  had  been  scouring  the  desert  in  search  of  the  Persians 
while  they  were,  in  fact,  engaged  in  battle  with  the  main  army 
commanded  by  his  brother.  Fierce  for  revenge  and  confident 
of  surprising  the  camp  of  the  Persian  commander,  the  fresh 
army  swept  over  the  desert  in  the  form  of  a  huge  crescent  after 
they  had  gained  the  level  of  the  cliffs.  On  they  carne,  with 
every  precaution  for  silence  pre-arranged,  like  a  shadowy  fate 
from  which  there  was  no  escape.  Suddenly  upon  their  aston 
ished  ears  burst  the  notes  of  a  bugle  sounding  the  evolutions. 
They  fancied  it  the  first  signal  of  the  alarmed  sentinel  who 
guarded  the  sleeping  camp,  and  onward  they  dashed  to  make 
the  surprise  complete.  They  saw  before  them  the  tents  of  the 
Persians  glistening  in  the  moonlight  and  at  once  their  crescent 
line  of  approach  extended  into  a  circle  which  closed  in  the  foe, 
that  none  might  escape.  With  terrific  yells  they  dashed  into 
the  camp  from  every  side,  but  found  no  enemy.  The  Persian 
commander  had  anticipated  their  manner  of  advance  and  with 
drawn  his  squadrons  to  a  distance  on  either  side  of  his  camp, 
awaiting  the  moment  of  confusion  which  must  ensue.  The 
great  circle  of  Turcomans  closed  in  upon  the  camp,  rapidly  en 
veloping  their  intended  victims  and  pressing  in  from  every  side 
upon  the  centre.  At  the  moment  of  their  greatest  disappoint 
ment,  and  when  their  own  horsemen  met  face  to  face  amid  the 
deserted  tents,  they  heard  behind  them  on  three  sides  the  yells 
of  the  advancing  Persians  as  they  dashed  in  upon  them  and 
sabred  them  to  the  earth,  where  they  stood  in  inextricable  con 
fusion.  They  were  taken  wholly  at  disadvantage  ;  their  lines 
already  broken  by  the  confusion  at  the  centre,  were  rent  into 
fragments  by  the  disciplined  charges  on  three  sides  which  tram 
pled  them  to  the  earth  in  the  glare  of  the  camp-fires.  Some 
fought  long  and  with  desperation  ;  but  the  greater  portion  of 
the  Turcomans  discovered  the  truth  that  resistance  was  only 
destruction,  and  surrendered  themselves  prisoners  to  the  royal 
horse,  which  had  entrapped  them  so  adroitly  and  so  effectually 
in  the  midst  of  the  camp.  Six  thousand  Turcoman  lancers 
laid  down  their  arms  at  the  feet  of  the  Persian  commander,  and 
among  the  number  was  their  chief.  The  victory  was  com 
plete,  and  hostages  enough  of  high  rank  were  sent  to  Teheran 
to  secure  the  good  conduct  of  Toorkomania  for  the  future. 

On  the  ensuing  day  the  dead  were  buried,  the  wounded 
cared  for,  and  the  prisoners  sent  away  under  guard  to  the 
Persian  cities.  Then  the  young  commander  led  his  troops 


1 28  IRENE, 

into  the  unprotected  country  of  his  enemies,  burned  the  dwell 
ings,  scattered  or  carried  off  the  herds  of  cattle  and  i -aim-Is, 
and  indicted  such  terrible  destruction  upon  the  property  of  the 
foe  as  he  had  promised  when  he  assumed  the  separate  command. 
The  terror  of  his  name  lived  long  among  that  lawless  tribe  of 
plunderers  and  assassins,  and  Persia  was  freed  for  years  from 
their  dreaded  inroads. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

SNOW-STORM  in  Persia  ! 

The  season  was  winter ;  the  scene  the  province  of 

Iran-Ajemi  in  the  north-western  section  of  the  empire 

and  adjacent  to  the  Caspian  Sea. 
The  cavalry  camp  at  Kasbin  had  been  broken  up  and  the 
troops  were  ordered  to  march  in  the  direction  of  Sultania,  to 
meet  the  Prince  Royal,  and  escort  him  to  the  residence  of  his 
royal  father,  the  Shah  of  all  Persia,  at  Teheran,  the  capital. 
The  cavalry  selected  for  this  honorary  duty  were  the  heroes  of 
the  Turcoman  war,  and  their  commander  was  the  young  officer 
with  whose  exploits  all  Persia  had  rung.  At  Kasbin  Alfonso 
had  continued  the  admirable  discipline  which  had  rendered  his 
troops  so  efficient  against  overwhelming  numbers  on  the  Tur 
coman  frontier.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  war,  which  had  given 
him  the  opportunity  he  so  coveted  for  renown,  he,  had  been 
stationed  with  his  troops  at  various  posts  adjacent  to  the  Cas 
pian  Sea-  But  never  since  the  period  of  his  Turcoman  distinc 
tion  had  he  looked  upon  the  countenance  of  the  Shah,  or  of 
his  illustrious  son,  Abbas  Mirza.  Neither  had  there  been  for 
mal  recognition  by  the  sovereign  at  any  time  of  his  eminent 
military  services  and  merits.  He  had,  indeed,  been  notified  by 
Zenavi  that  the  Shah  was  pleased  with  his  young  general,  and 
would  in  time  honor  him.  Though  chafing  under  the  apparent 
neglect,  he  maintained  a  dignified  silence,  and  wisely  devoted 
himself  to  the  greater  perfection  of  his  troops  in  the  art  of  war. 
Kvery  request  that  he  addressed  to  the  headquarters  of  the  army, 
regarding  the  equipment  and  comfort  of  his  men,  was  listened 
to,  and  promptly  responded  to.  He  was  furnished  with  every 
means  of  making  his  command  the  most  perfect  and  efficient 


IRENE.  129 

in  Persia.  In  this  acquiescence  were  encouragement  and 
hope  that  his  services  would  yet  be  properly  recognized  and 
compensated.  His  heart  throbbed  exultantly  when  the  order 
arrived  at  Kasbin  to  join  the  Prince  Royal.  He  was  now 
about  to  pass  under  the  eyes  of  royalty  at  Teheran.  His 
greater  joy  was  that  the  Shah's  son,  Abbas  Mirza,  the  idol  of 
Persia,  the  statesman  and  soldier,  would  now  have  an  opportunity 
to  witness  the  admirable  discipline  he  had  introduced  into  the 
corps  entrusted  to  him. 

The  scene  as  the  young  commander  advanced  at  the  head 
of  his  cavalry  on  the  road  leading  north-west  from  Kasbin  to 
Sultania,  was  one  of  wintry  desolation.  The  whole  valley  in 
which  they  were  marching  was  covered  with  snow,  and  the 
mountains  which  towered  on  either  hand  wore  the  same  spot 
less  mantle.  Along  the  cliffs  at  the  left,  and  crowning  their 
very  tops,  were  vague  outlines  of  fortresses  and  towers,  guard 
ing  the  dangerous  pass.  Here  a  score  of  resolute  warriors 
could  dispute  the  passage  safely  with  ten  times  their  force  of 
invaders.  The  plastic  snow  had  rounded  the  angles  of  the 
deserted  fortifications  and  given  a  certain  smoothness  to  the  ad 
jacent  crags.  This  had  been  the  fastness  of  the  great  and  mys 
terious  chief  of  that  terrible  religious  sect  whose  atrocious  deeds 
had  for  two  centuries  aroused  terror  and  superstitious  rever 
ence  throughout  the  land.  Even  the  ranks  of  the  Crusaders 
in  the  neighboring  Syria  had  been  decimated  by  the  cavalry  of 
this  monstrous  empire  of  violence,  as  they  swept  down  from 
the  heights  of  Mount  Lebanon,  with  their  terrible  war-cry,  and 
with  sabre  in  hand.  The  name  of  this  remorseless  fanatic  sect 
was  Assassins,  and  from  them  has  the  world  derived  the  desig 
nation  for  all  who  treacherously  and  in  darkness  slay  their  ene 
mies.  Their  founder  and  chief  was  called  Sheik-ul-Jebal,  or 
lord  of  the  mountains. 

Shivering  in  the  wintry  blast,  and  half  blinded  by  the  flying 
snow-flakes,  which  were  whirled  capriciously  about  by  the  keen 
sweep  of  the  gale  through  the  mountain  pass,  the  commander 
of  the  Persian  horse  heard  with  surprise  the  cheery  notes  of  a 
bugle  amid  the  desolation.  Then  came  the  rattle  of  sabres,  the 
sound  of  human  voices,  and  the  tread  of  hoofs  partly  muffled 
by  the  snow.  A  cavalcade  swept  into  view,  at  intervals  toil 
ing  slowly  among  the  rocks,  and  then  bounding  forward  at  a 
fleeter  pace  when  the  widening  and  more  level  road  allowed. 
Their  novel  Oriental  costumes,  their  horses  caparisoned  in  va 
ried  and  brilliant  colors,  and  with  bridles  covered  with  bands 
6* 


130  IRENE. 

of  silver  and  adorned  with  silken  tassels,  and  the  strange  dialect 
which  passed  to  and  fro  between  them,  indicated  that  they  \\vrc 
treading  the  territory  once  ennobled  by  the  rule  of  the  heroic 
and  magnanimous  Cyrus,  the  Persian. 

They  were  the  advance  guard  of  the  superb  Abbas  Mir/a, 
heir-apparent  to  the  crown  of  Persia  and  in  their  midst  were 
five  ladies  of  his  royal  highness' s  anderoon,  dressed  in  scarlet, 
with  magnificent  shawls  from  the  looms  of  Tabreez  over  their 
heads  and  faces.  These  royal  beauties,  selected  to  attend  their 
lord  on  his  visit  to  Teheran,  were  riding  astride  on  the  most 
beautiful  and  spirited  horses,  which  they  managed  with  ease  and 
grace,  even  amid  the  violence  of  the  storm.  They  were  guarded 
by  twelve  powerful  eunuchs  whom  the  royal  cavalry  hemmed 
in  on  every  side.  The  troop  of  horse  swept  by,  riding  into  the 
very  teeth  of  the  gale,  and  then  followed  the  baggage  train  of 
the  royal  ladies,  covered  with  scarlet  and  blue  cloths.  A  tack- 
i-ravan  followed  after,  resting  upon  poles  between  two  white 
mules.  This  royal  litter  and  the  mules  were  arrayed  in  scarlet 
cloth  with  gulden  fringe. 

As  the  tack-i-ravan  passed  the  horse  of  Alfonso  the  scarlet 
curtains  were  thrust  back  and  a  veiled  lady  looked  out,  steadily 
regarding  him.  She  appeared  to  recognize  him,  for  her  hand 
was  waved  to  him  three  times,  and  yet  so  adroitly,  that  her 
guard  did  not  see  the  movement  from  their  position  in  rear  of 
the  litter.  The  curtains  instantly  fell,  the  brilliant  and  storm- 
wrapped  pageant  disappeared  in  the  gorge  of  the  mountains, 
and  all  was  still  again,  save  the  muffled  sounds  of  the  horses' 
feet  in  the  snow,  marching  on  to  Sultania.  Who  was  she  ? 
Could  it  be  the  mistress  of  his  heart,  to  whom  he  had  vowed 
eternal  constancy?  Why  should  she  be  travelling  with  the 
ladies  of  Abbas  Mirza?  The  recognition  set  the  heart  of  the 
young  commander  in  a  flutter  at  once.  The  freshness  of  his 
love  for  her  in  the  Shah's  gardens  returned  to  him.  He  felt 
that  he  loved  her  with  redoubled  vehemence.  How  fortunate 
that  she  was  going  in  the  same  direction  which  he  must  soon 
wheel  about  to,  and  pursue  with  his  corps.  The  chances  of 
seeing  her  again  upon  the  long  winter  journey  were  by  no 
means  improbable.  All  things  are  possible  to  the  Oriental  girl 
when  outside  the  latticed  enclosure  of  the  anderoon.  He  ex 
ulted  in  the  thought  of  meeting  his  mysterious  mistress  as  he 
rode  on  towards  the  main  body  of  Abbas  Mirza's  household 
troops. 

Back  over  the  rocky  road  the  royal  ladies  had  just  traversed, 


IRENE.  131 

moved  the  young  commander's  splendid  cavalry.  The  wind 
whistled  past  them  and  the  snow  beat  in  their  faces  ;  but  up 
and  down  the  mountain  sides  they  rode,  now  rushing  pasi 
towns  and  villages  whitened  by  the  storm,  and  each  with  its  little 
embastioned  fort  rising  amidst  the  most  romantic  sylvan  scenes 
where  one  could  picture  to  himself  the  beauty  and  loveliness 
of  the  far-off  summer,  when  it  should  resume  its  sway  over  the 
hills  and  valleys ;  now  passing  the  ruined  mosques  and  walls 
of  the  old  Persian  city,  Abhar,  where  once  the  captive  children 
of  Israel  were  settled  on  their  removal  from  Jerusalem  ;  and 
then  sweeping  through  Kurumdara,  with  its  circle  of  neat  and 
lovely  Satellite  villages,  watered  by  numerous  rills  from  the 
adjacent  mountains.  They  skirted  the  sequestered  village  of 
Sian  Kala,  sheltered  in  a  valley,  and  finally  ascended  a  great 
hill,  upon  whose  summit  they  paused,  and  looked  down  upon 
the  ancient  city  of  Sultania,  with  its  domes  and  minarets  rising 
in  all  the  majesty  of  the  old  eastern  architecture. 

Upon  this  elevated  ground  where  they  were  formed  in  line  to 
await  the  advent  of  the  Crown  Prince  a  Kurdish  peasant  at  work 
once  found  a  royal  sarcophagus  containing  the  skeleton  of  an 
ancient  queen  of  Iran,  whose  name  and  identity  are  lost.  A 
golden  diadem  encircled  her  brows,  and  in  it  were  set  precious 
stones  of  wonderful  size  and  lustre.  On  her  wrists  and  ankles 
were  bracelets  of  pure  gold.  A  string  of  lovely  pearls,  of  the 
most  perfect  color,  was  resting  upon  her  breast.  All  were 
taken  to  the  Shah  of  Persia,  and  to  this  day  the  wise  men  of 
Iran  cannot  name  or  conjecture  what  ancient  female  sovereign 
was  their  owner.  Perchance  ages  before  the  foundations  of  the 
great  sepulchral  mosque  of  Sultan  Mahomed  Rhoda  were  laid 
in  Sultania,  this  ancient  queen  was  entombed  here  under  a 
marble  canopy  whose  ruins  have,  ages  ago,  been  borne  away. 

While  the  cavalry  stood  expectant  upon  the  hill  in  the  storm, 
the  thrice-repeated  blast  of  a  bugle  announced  that  the  foot  of 
Abbas  Mirza  was  in  the  stirrup,  and  the  royal  cavalcade  were 
leaving  Sultania  to  follow  the  advance  guard  and  the  muffled 
ladies  of  the  Prince's  under -con.  They  were  upon  the  road  be 
tween  Tabreez  and  Teheran.  The  former  was  the  capital  of 
the  Crown  Prince  of  Persia,  who  was  coming  southerly  to  attend 
the  great  feast  oiNowroose  at  Teheran,  the  capital  and  residence 
of  his  royal  father,  the  Shah.  They  were  far  away  in  the  north 
western  corner  of  Persia,  in  the  worst  season  of  the  whole  year ; 
and  yet  in  summer  this  quarter  of  the  kingdom  is  lovely  and 
salubrious.  They  would  soon,  however,  reach  warmer  lati- 


132 

tudesj  and  this  reflection  yielded  the  troops  some  consolation 
as  they  shivered  in  the  terrific  and  icy  gale  which  swept  over 
the  elevation  where  they  stood  looking  down  upon  Sultania. 
At  length  they  were  diverted  by  a  grand  flourish  of  trumpets 
which  announced  the  advent  of  the  Prince  Royal  and  his  escort 
of  nobles  and  royal  cavalry.  With  alacrity  they  dashed  out 
from  Sultania  on  their  fiery  steeds,  and  resolutely  faced  the 
gale,  riding  swiftly  up  the  rise  toward  Teheran  and  the  troops 
of  Alfonso  which  awaited  them.  A  company  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  cavalry  came  first,  in  all  the  glory  of  Oriental  splen 
dor,  and  bearing  aloft  long  bamboo  lances.  The  fury  of  the 
snow-storm  could  not  entirely  disguise  the  richness  of  their  garb 
and  the  silver  and  gold  trappings  of  their  horses  dashing  on  in 
all  the  fiery  impetuosity  of  their  Asiatic  blood.  Then  came 
the  noble  soldier  and  enemy  of  the  Muscovites,  Abbas  Mir/a. 
The  superb  black  steed  of  this  great  prince  kept  sick-  by  side 
with  that  of  his  son,  Mahomed  Mirza,  and  his  brother,  Malek 
Khassum  Mirza,  both  dark-eyed  youths  of  twelve. 

Trained  to  the  saddle  from  his  earliest  youth,  like  all  the 
Persian  boys,  Abbas  Mirza  was  one  of  the  most  daring  and 
graceful  riders  in  the  kingdom.  He  rode  now  swiftly  up  the 
rise,  attended  by  his  illustrious  Khans,  who  followed  close-  be 
hind  him.  The  young  hero  of  the  Turcoman  frontier  watched 
his  advent  eagerly.  In  the  rear  of  the  Persian  nobility  came  a 
splendid  body  of  five  hundred  goolams,  the  elite  of  the  national 
cavalry,  armed  with  long  guns,  swords  of  Ispahan,  pistols,  and 
daggers.  The  silver  chains  upon  their  horses'  necks  rattled  at 
every  step  as  they  rode  at  ease,  now  wandering  away  from  the 
line  of  inarch,  and  then  regaining  it  swiftly  and  at  will.  The 
pcshkidmats  followed  after,  upon  powerful  horses,  bearing  the 
kaliouns  of  the  nobles  and  officers,  with  kettles  of  burning  coals 
swinging  from  the  saddle-girths,  with  cans  of  water,  Turkish  to 
bacco,  and  all  the  appliances  necessary  to  put  in  operation 
those  complicated  Oriental  smoking  mediums.  Heavily  laden 
as  they  were,  the  steeds  of  the  peshkidmats  were  expected  to 
keep  up  with  the  most  rapid  pace  of  the  cavalcade  over  plain 
or  valley. 

As  the  Prince  Royal  reached  the  summit  of  the  hill,  and  his 
dark,  searching  eyes  took  in  the  whole  line  of  Alfonso's  splen 
did  troops,  his  thoughtful  countenance  lighted  with  animation. 
The  soldierly  in>tinct  in  him  was  aroused.  He  was  delighted 
and  ama/.ed.  Turning  in  his  saddle  he  raised  his  right  arm  in 
signal  to  one  who  rode  behind  him.  A  black  steed,  such  as 


IRENE.  133 

Alexander  might  have  deemed  worthy  of  a  king's  bestowal, 
dashed  immediately  to  the  side  of  Abbas  Mirza  where  one  of 
the  young  princes  made  room  for  him.  His  rider  was  clothed 
in  a  garb  of  pure  white.  He  was  the  royal  astrologer,  whom 
all  Persian  princes  consult  when  undertaking  a  journey  and 
upon  the  march. 

"  Zenayi,"  he  said,  when  the  Ghebre  had  reined  his  steed  to 
the  Crown  Prince's  pace,  "  you  have  not  told  me  half  this  young 
officer's  merits.  The  Czar  of  Russia  has  no  finer  squadrons  in 
all  his  army." 

"  They  are  modelled  upon  the  Russian  horse,"  replied  the 
Ghebre.  "  Your  royal  father  assented  to  Alfonso's  request, 
that  the  Muscovite  discipline  and  drill  should  be  adopted  for 
his  Turcoman  expedition." 

"  And  these  are  the  heroes  of  the  Turcoman  war  ?  "  inquired 
the  Prince. 

"  They  are,  every  man  of  them,"  replied  Zenayi ;  "  and  yon 
der  is  their  commander." 

He  pointed  far  down  the  line  of  motionless  horsemen  to  the 
spot  where  Alfonso,  on  the  back  of  Al-Borak,  awaited  the 
moment  when  his  cavalry  should  receive  his  order  to  salute  the 
Prince. 

"  When  we  have  passed  on  to  the  plain  below,"  said  Abbas 
Mirza,  "and  his  men  have  fallen  into  the  line  of  march,  sum 
mon  the  commander  to  my  side." 

The  astrologer  signified  his  approbation  of  his  royal  master's 
purpose  and  fell  back  then  to  his  former  position  among  the 
Khans.  As  the  royal  cavalcade  rode  past  the  hero  of  Toorko- 
mania,  the  eyes  of  Abbas  Mirza  gave  him  a  searching  glance. 
Alfonso,  as  the  prince  courteously  returned  his  military  salute, 
gave  him  a  look  in  return  which  burned  into  his  royal  recol 
lection  for  a  lifetime.  Two  noble  soldiers  had  met  for  the  first 
time,  and  the  younger  saw  in  that  one  glance  that  he  was  appre 
ciated  by  the  potent  head  of  the  Persian  army.  His  orders 
soon  rang  out  clear  and  distinct  amid  the  whistling  of  the  storm 
and  the  whirl  of  the  snow.  His  cavalry  fell  in  behind  the 
royal  cavalcade  to  the  music  of  the  bugles.  The  augmented 
train  of  Asiatics  moved  on  grandly  toward  Teheran,  passing 
down  on  to  the  plain  whitened  by  the  snow. 

When  at  length  the  Ghebre  rode  back  to  execute  the  com 
mand  of  the  Prince  Royal,  he  said,  after  greeting  his  pupil : 

"You  have  made  a  favorable  impression  upon  the  Prince  by 
your  discipline.  He  has  summoned  you  to  his  side.  Speak 


1 34  IRENE. 

freely  to  him  now  upon  your  ideas  of  army  matters.  Fear  not 
to  notify  him  of  the  abuses  in  the  army.  He  is  honorable  and 
ju>t,  and  your  complaints  will  be  heard  and  buried  in  his  royal 
soul.  He  will  remember  every  sensible  word  you  utter,  will 
honor  you  for  your  candor,  and  will  reward  you  for  every  valua 
ble  hint  on  military  subjects  you  may  proffer.  Go  on  now  to 
his  presence,  and  may  Ormuzd  assist  you." 

The  young  commander,  with  a  single  word  of  excitation  to 
Al-Borak,  was  off  like  the  wind  for  the  front.  He  dashed 
through  the  snow  which  whitened  the  wayside,  passed  the 
goofams,  flung  salutes  to  the  Khans  as  he  flew  past,  and  reined 
in  his  steed  beside  the  man  who,  he  believed,  more  than  any 
other,  held  his  military  future  in  his  hands.  He  was  with  the 
great  soldier  and  favorite  of  Persia  at  last.  With  that  winning 
suavity  which  had  won  him  thousands  of  hearts.  Abbas  Mir/a 
greeted  his  young  general.  In  the  splendor  and  self-possession 
of  his  ripe  manhood,  being  apparently  about  half  way  between 
thirty  and  forty  years  of  age,  the  Governor  of  Tabreez  impressed 
all  who  approached  him  with  the  idea  that  he  possessed  the 
ancient  principles  of  truth,  simplicity,  and  general  interest  for 
the  welfare  of  his  country.  Mental  power  was  traced  upon  his 
brow,  and  in  the  gleam  of  his  dark  eyes.  He  uttered  now  a 
few  words  of  the  most  gracious  welcome.  His  smile  put 
Alfonso  at  ease  in  a  moment 

"  Persia  is  indebted  to  you,  brave  soldier,  for  her  present 
tranquillity.  Your  name  is  reverenced  already  by  her  patriots 
Upon  our  arrival  at  Teheran,  your  services  will  meet  with 
proper  recognition.  Our  noble  Zenayi  has  often  mentioned 
your  military  merit,  and  your  fitness  for  command.  Your  own 
acts  have  now  justified  the  eulogy  of  your  good  friend.  What 
are  your  wishes  and  your  wants,  that  I  may  present  them  to 
the  Shah?" 

Seeing  that  Alfonso  was  silent,  he  said  again,  "What  are 
your  wishes  ?  Speak  boldly,  for  you  address  a  soldier  and  lover 
of  Persia." 

"  The  permanent  command  of  my  present  corps,  that  I  may 
perfect  them  for  our  day  of  vengeance  upon  the  Muscovites." 

The  clear,  bold,  manly  tones  seemed  to  touch  the  Prince  in 
the  hidden  depths  of  his  nature.  His  eyes  lighted  with  a  kin 
dred  fire.  He  turned  warmly  to  his  companion,  as  he  said  : 

"  Our  gi-nerals  who  distinguish  themselves  expect  and  re 
sold  from  the  treasury,  and  promotion  to  more  extensive 
commands." 


IRENE.  135 

The  young  commander,  with  his  piercing  gaze  directed  to  the 
Prince,  reiterated  simply  his  request. 

"  I  desire  only  the  present  command." 

"  Has  money  no  charms  for  you,  young  man  ?  " 

"  No,  your  Royal  Highness.  I  am  a  soldier  of  Persia,  and 
the  empire  needs  every  townan  in  the  treasury.  The  army 
chest  should  be  filled  with  the  self-denials  of  the  officers  who 
love  Persia  better  than  gold.  The  Muscovites  can  only  be 
defeated  at  last  by  the  sacrifices  of  the  Persian  people." 

"  Noble  words  ;  young  soldier.  I  would  that  Allah  would 
put  your  words  into  the  mouths  of  all  our  Khans.  Your 
demand  is  modest,  and  our  earnest  effort  shall  be  directed  to 
obtain  it  from  the  Shah.  I  owe  to  you  gratitude  for  preserving 
my  brother  from  the  desert  robbers.  I  now  owe  to  you  a 
higher  gratitude,  as  one  who  falters  not  in  his  offerings  of  blood 
and  treasure  for  my  Persia.  You  have  suffered  for  her :  you 
will  suffer  again.  From  this  hour,  Abbas  Mirza  is  your  friend. 
Ask  anything  from  me  in  the  name  of  my  country,  and  you  will 
be  heard.  You  shall  have  your  present  command  over  your 
troops,  but  it  shall  be  extended.  If  you  can  make  five  thou 
sand  men  good  soldiers,  you  can  properly  be  entrusted  with 
the  drilling  of  double  the  number.  I  shall  ask  that  five  thou 
sand  cavalry  be  added  to  your  command,  and  that  your  pay  be 
doubled." 

"  I  decline  the  additional  pay  before  it  is  offered,"  was  the 
response. 

"  What  if  it  is  forced  upon  you  ?  " 

"  Then  I  shall  present  it  to  the  army  chest,  to  be  reserved 
for  the  Muscovite  war." 

"  Is  your  purpose  firm  ?  " 

"  As  iron,  your  Royal  Highness." 

The  Prince  Royal  smiled,  as  he  watched  the  intense  interest 
his  son,  Mahomed  Mirza,  was  manifesting  in  the  young  com 
mander.  The  boy  seemed  to  be  thrilled  with  his  admiration 
for  the  handsome  face  and  deep  enthusiasm  of  the  hero  of  the 
Turcoman  war. 

"  What  would  you  do  with  this  obstinate  soldier,  my  son  ?  " 
he  said  jocosely  to  the  youthful  Prince. 

"  I  have  no  power,  your  Royal  Highness,"  was  the  prompt 
response. 

"And  if  you  had?  "  continued  the  father. 

"Then  I  would  put  all  the  Shah's   body-guard  under  this 


1 36  IRENE. 

officer,  and  have  them  drilled  to  keep  in  line,  and  fight  to  some 
purpose  when  the  Cossacks  come  down  upon  us." 

"The  idea  is  not  a  bad  one,  my  son,"  replied  Abbas  Mirza, 
with  a  laugh.  "We  must  think  of  this.  The.  highest  disci 
pline  will  be  demanded  for  a  northern  war,  sooner  than  many 
suspect." 

After  a  brief  silence  he  resumed,  addressing  the  commander 
of  cavalry : 

"  You  may  now  return  to  your  troops.  Upon  our  arrival  at 
Teheran,  you  will  find  that  tents  have  been  provided  for  your 
corps  outside  of  the  walls.  But  at  the  feast  of  Ncnuroose,  when 
the  Shah  receives  the  homage  of  his  subjects,  present  yourself 
in  full  uniform  in  the  spacious  area,  shaded  with  trees  before 
the  palace.  Do  not  fail  to  be  there,  for  it  will  be  the  hour  of 
your  long-expected  recognition." 

After  these  words,  he  waved  his  hand  in  token  of  dismissal, 
and  the  commander,  turning  his  steed  out  of  the  line  of  march, 
rode  back  along  the  long  array  of  troops  to  his  own  command. 
Scarcely  had  he  reached  his  men,  when  the  word  of  command 
was  heard  by  the  advance  guard.  They  spurred  on,  and  soon 
the  whole  cavalcade  were  flying  like  deevs  towards  the  capital. 
The  air  was  growing  softer  with  every  mile  of  progress  ;  the 
snow  was  thinning  out ;  the  sky  was  growing  clearer,  and  the 
flat-roofed  houses  of  the  towns  were  coming  more  clearly  into 
view. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

JT  length,  after  a  tedious  march,  they  reached  a  latitude 
where  the  snow  had  all  vanished.  The  air  was  balmy 
like  spring,  and  the  great  plain  spread  out  so  level 
before  them,  that  with  one  accord  the  whole  cavalcade 
extended  their  front  into  one  great  line,  each  horseman,  prince, 
and  private  contending  for  the  mastery  in  speed.  On  they 
spurred,  shouting  in  glee,  brandishing  their  bamboo  lances,  firing 
their  pistols,  and  racing  like  madmen.  Abbas  Mirza  took  the 
Ir.ul  at  length  upon  the  superb  stallion  which  had  borne  him 
unharmed  through  many  an  encounter  with  beast,  and  human 
foe.  The  princes  of  the  East  rely  upon  their  steeds  for  flight 
when  the  battle  is  adverse.  The  royal  stud  of  Persia  is  un- 


IRENE.  137 

matched  for  beauty  and  speed.  Arriving  at  length  upon  a 
great  hill,  he  paused  alone  to  await  the  coming  up  of  his  escort. 
What  was  his  amazement  to  see  that  Alfonso  and  his  troops 
had  not  joined  in  the  wild  sport  of  the  run,  but  lingered  far 
behind  the  disordered  goolams,  maintaining  perfect  discipline. 
They  had  deployed  from  close  column  by  squadrons  upon 
reaching  the  great  plain,  and  were  now  seen  in  the  distance 
advancing  with  the  precision  of  veterans.  The  sight  was  im 
posing,  and  Abbas  Mirza  remained  motionless  upon  the  emin 
ence  and  allowed  the  goolams  and  Khans  to  come  up  with  him 
and  pass  on  towards  Teheran,  while  he  tarried  with  his  astrolo 
ger  to  watch  the  evolutions  of  the  young  commander's  cavalry. 
It  was  evident  enough  that  the  advancing  line,  with  their 
drawn  sabres  flashing  in  the  sun,  and  the  wings  extending  far 
out  to  either  side  in  dazzling  array,  was  under  the  guidance  and 
discipline  of  a  master  mind  in  the  art  of  war.  Suddenly  the 
glittering  line  appeared  to  hear  some  talismanic  word,  for  with 
a  mighty  shout  which  arose  evenly  and  grandly  upon  the  dis 
tance,  they  quickened  their  pace  and  dashed  onward  towards 
the  Prince  and  the  Ghebre.  Nearer  and  nearer  came  the 
glittering  line  of  sabres,  not  a  horse  lagging  behind  his  fellows, 
not  a  wavering  indication  in  any  section  of  the  array,  but  all 
dashing  on  in  such  perfect  uniformity  of  carriage  and  pace  that 
at  times  the  sabre  points  gave  the  illusion  of  a  single  bar  of 
glittering  steel  advancing  broadly  through  the  air.  The  Ghebre 
anxiously  scanned  the  face  of  his  royal  master.  It  wore  the 
immobility  of  Saladin.  But  the  dark  eyes  were  blazing  with 
delight  and  appreciation.  Some  storm  of  emotion  was  waking 
up  in  the  great  patriot's  soul,  for  his  cheek  was  flushed  as  he 
sat  there  motionless  upon  his  panting  steed  and  gazed  upon  the 
glorious  charge  which  seemed  to  come  forward  with  the  invin 
cibility  of  destiny.  He  was  thinking  of  Russia,  his  foe,  the  un 
relenting  scourge  of  his  father,  and  the  future  scourge  of  him 
self  and  his  children.  He  was  thinking  of  his  Persia,  with  its 
naked  crags,  and  its  flower-enamelled  valleys,  of  its  temples  of 
the  Present,  and  its  glorious  marble  monuments  of  the  heroic 
Past,  of  the  people  who  looked  up  to  him  in  entieaty  and  un 
bounded  faith,  of  the  mothers  who  held  aloft  to  him  their  infants 
and  begged  from  him  the  integrity  and  the  safety  of  the  land 
where  they  had  first  drawn  breath.  And  as  his  soldierly  eyes 
observed  the  method  and  the  blended  power  of  the  advancing 
men  of  Persia,  his  very  soul  flushed  as  his  cheeks  flushed  with 
pride  and  hope  and  the  consciousness  of  coming  power. 


138  IRENE. 

Suddenly  within  gunshot  of  the  height  upon  which  he  stood, 
and  while  his  ears  had  just  begun  to  catch  the  thundering  thud 
of  the  thousands  of  hoofs  upon  the  earth  the  dazzling  line  of 
steel  shivered  and  broke,  sweeping  away  in  regular  masses  of 
glittering  stars  which  the  parting  squadrons  seemed  to  bear 
away  to  the  front  and  rear  upon  the  upturned  points  of  their 
sabres.  A  single  voice,  of  strange  distinctness  and  thrilling 
power,  arose  at  intervals  upon  the  air,  guiding  the  squadrons 
which  swept  away  to  their  new  positions.  It  was  the  voice  of 
the  hero  of  Toorkomania  giving  the  preparatory  commands  of 
the  general  commanding.  They  passed  away  then  to  the  right 
of  the  Prince  Royal  in  close  column,  their  commander  being 
on  the  directing  flank  of  the  leading  subdivision  of  his  command. 
As  the  compact  masses  of  horsemen  moved  on  towards  the 
capital  following  the  route  taken  by  the  goolams,  Abbas  Mir/a, 
and  the  Ghebre  turned  their  horses'  heads  towards  the  south 
east  and  followed  after. 

It  was  long  before  the  Prince  broke  silence,  and  the  Ghebre 
was  unable  to  fathom  the  mysterious  abstraction  of  his  master. 
But  he  knew  instinctively  that  Alfonso  had  passed  already  into 
high  favor.  Skilled  himself  in  the  science  of  war,  as  he  was  in 
every  other  science,  the  unfathomable  Zenayi  had  realized  now 
that  his  pupil  had  brought  his  men  to  the  highest  perfection  of 
physical  and  moral  discipline.  His  royal  master  must,  with 
his  keen  perceptions,  have  remarked  it  too.  Quick  to  recog 
nize  excellence  in  any  department,  the  Prince  would  now  ad 
vance  Alfonso.  Suddenly  the  silence  was  broken. 

"  Zenayi,-  the  whole  army  of  Persia,  excepting  only  the  artil 
lery,  must  be  reorganized  at  once." 

"  Your  Royal  Highness  reiterates  my  own  idea  of  last  year." 

"  I  remember  your  suggestion,  my  faithful  Zenayi.  I  re 
alize  now  its  value.  You  never  advised  me  to  my  detriment 
or  the  injury  of  Persia." 

"  Ormuzd  grant  I  never  may  !  "  was  the  fervent  ejaculation. 

"  You  never  summon  Allah  to  your  aid,  Zenayi,"  said  the 
Prince,  with  a  smile. 

"  No,  my  beloved  master.  Zenayi  calls  only  upon  the 
oldest  God  of  Persia.  The  Parsee  and  the  Ghebre  name  him 
Ormuzd  (great  king),  "the  luminous"  "the  brilliant"  a  mani 
festation  only  of  Zerwan  (without  beginning  or  end),  "  the  in 
comprehensible" 

"  But  Allah  is  the  God  of  the  world  as  well  as  of  Persia," 
replied  the  Prince,  pleasantly. 


IRENE.  139 

"  Aye,  your  Royal  Highness  ;  Ormuzd  rules  the  universe  by 
whatever  name  he  may  be  called.  Even  the  African  boy, 
from  the  borders  of  the  great  Karroo  desert,  points  to  the 
heavens,  and  calls  him  Utika,  "  the  Beautiful." 

"  We  will  not  contend  about  words,  my  good  Zenayi.  By 
whatever  name  Allah  may  be  called,  we  owe  him  the  allegiance 
of  a  good  heart  and  a  good  life." 

"  That  is  the  essence  of  truth  and  of  religion,  my  royal 
master.  But  see  !  we  are  approaching  Siahdan." 

He  pointed  out  the  town  ahead  of  them,  and  putting  spurs 
to  their  horses  the  two  dashed  on,  passed  the  orderly  squadrons 
of  Alfonso,  and  overtook  the  goolams  and  Khans,  and  with 
them  passed  in  full  career  the  town  of  Siahdan,  where  a  new 
cavalcade,  commanded  by  the  Prince's  brother,  Ali  Nackee 
Mirza,  dashed  in  behind  them,  all  hurrying  on  to  the  great 
feast  of  Nowroose.  At  the  walled  town  of  Casvin  a  great  mul 
titude  poured  out  to  salute  them  as  they  passed.  Armed  with 
guns  and  lances,  the  crowd  were  ranged  in  double  lines,  and 
greeted  the  cavalcade  with  music,  athletic  games,  and  silken 
banners  of  blue,  on  which  were  blazoned  the  lion  and  the  sun. 
At  every  town  new  accessions  came  to  their  ranks  of  gallant 
Asiatics  on  fiery  steeds.  When  at  last  the  towers  and  walls 
of  Teheran  appeared  before,  them  in  the  plain,  with  its  huge 
background  of  towering  mountain  peaks,  overshadowed  by  the 
still  loftier  peak  of  Demewand,  a  grand  pageant  of  troops, 
nobles,  and  elephants,  the  latter  clad  in  scarlet  and  gold,  came 
forth  from  the  gates  to  meet  them  and  welcome  them  to  the 
great  yearly  feast. 

The  force  of  cavalry  under  the  command  of  Alfonso  was 
halted  a  mile  and  a  half  outside  of  the  walls  of  Teheran.  Here 
a  camp  had  been  provided  for  them  as  Abbas  Mirza  had  said. 
The  young  commander  was  not  long  in  ascertaining  the 
localities  and  distances  about  him.  He  soon  discovered  that 
Negamristan,  so  memorable  for  him,  was  between  his  camp  and 
the  city.  It  was  only  a  mile  from  his  tent  to  the  gardens 
where  he  had  met  the  mistress  of  his  heart,  and  whispered  to 
her  his  vows.  His  magnificent  hospital,  where  he  had  been  so 
tenderly  nursed,  and  where  intrigue  had  secured  him  the  com 
mand  of  the  Turcoman  expedition,  would  be  passed  by  him 
whenever  he  entered  Teheran.  He  could  see  from  his  camp 
the  luxuriant  trees  and  the  walls  of  the  royal  palace  above  the 
enclosure  of  the  luxurious  anderoon.  In  passing  the  place  on 
his  way  to  the  city,  it  was  possible  for  the  lovely  inmates  of 


140  IRENE, 

Negauristan  to  recognize  him  through  their  latticed  windows. 
But  to  his  eyes  they  were  as  effectually  veiled  as  if  they  were 
in  their  graves.  Nevertheless  it  was  pleasant  to  dream,  as  he 
rode  along  daily  to  the  city  on  the  back  of  Al-Borak,  that  the 
sweet  eyes  of  his  mistress  were  looking  forth  upon  him,  and  her 
tender  heart  beating  itself  like  a  bird  against  the  walls  of  her 
prison.  What  had  become  of  the  lady  who  signalled  him  from 
the  curtains  of  the  tack-i-ravan,  he  could  not  discover.  He 
was  convinced  of  her  identity  with  the  mistress  of  his  heart,  but 
he  could  only  ascertain  from  the  officers  of  the  goolams  that 
the  ladies  and  their  special  guard  had  always  kept  in  advance 
of  Abbas  Mirza,  from  the  time  of  leaving  Tabreez  until  their 
arrival  at  Teheran. 

He  was  bitterly  disappointed  at  having  no  opportunity  of 
being  near  her  on  the  journey,  for  well  he  knew  that  once  she 
was  within  any  anderoon  he  might  as  well  expect  to  be  in  con 
tact  with  the  moon  as  with  her.  The  probabilities  were  that 
he  would  never  again  be  honored  with  apartments  in  the  an-- 
deroon  of  the  Shah.  The  extraordinary  combination  of  circum 
stances  which  had  given  him  a  hospital  there  once  was  not 
likely  to  occur  again.  With  all  these  discouraging  reflections 
mingled  surmises  as  to  who  she  was.  He  felt  satisfied  from  her 
own  words  in  the  garden  that  she  was  the  wife  of  no  man. 
She  was  not  Ayesha.  Then  who  was  she  ?  He  was  perpetu 
ally  propounding  this  question  to  himself,  and  as  frequently 
recollecting  that  Irene  was  the  only  living  being  who  was  likely 
to  solve  the  enigma  for  him.  But  to  this  brilliant  schemer  he 
dared  not  mention  the  subject.  She  was  ludicrously  enough 
entangled  in  the  misunderstanding  regarding  Ayesha.  Kut 
friend  as  she  was  to  his  ambitions,  it  was  questionable  if  she 
would  forward  his  love  affairs.  There  was  just  enough  of  in 
stinct  in  his  composition  to  teach  him  that  the  lovely  Irene 
(herself  a  mystery)  had  manifested  extraordinary  interest  in  the 
young  officer  herself.  There  was  sufficient  reason  for  believing 
that  she  would  not  repulse  rudely  any  tenderness  shown  to  her 
self  on  the  part  of  Alfonso.  And  added  to  his  own  self  conceit 
in  the  matter  were  the  suggestive  cautions  of  the  Ghebre. 
"  Be  careful,  Alfonso,"  said  this  wise  friend,  "  that  you  do  not 
mar  your  projects  in  life  by  permitting  this  brilliant  girl  to  gain 
the  ascendency  over  your  heart.  Irene  is  beyond  your  reach, 
and  any  attempt  to  gain  her  love  may  cost  you  your  head.  I 
do  not  doubt  that  your  personal  fascinations  would  go  a  long 
way  with  so  appreciative  a  being  as  she  is.  She  may  be  above 


IRENE.  141 

love-making.  But  whether  she  is  or  not,  you  can  never  gain 
her,  and  the  'attempt  is  too  hazardous  for  you  even  to  think  of 
it.  Were  you  even  known  to  harbor  the  hope  of  winning  her 
hand,  you  would  be  strangled  without  delay.  She  must  remain 
to  you  as  a  mystery  of  the  Persian  Court,  whom  Abbas  Mirza 
and  myself  are  forced  to  employ  in  the  interest  of  the  empire. 
Do  not  jeopardize  her  happiness  and  your  own  success  by  any 
heart  follies." 

He  dared  not,  therefore,  expect  any  light  regarding  his  un 
known  mistress  from  Irene.  The  latter  beauty,  if  jealous, 
had  the  power  of  inflicting  death  both  upon  his  mistress  and 
himself.  If  utterly  indifferent  to  him  in  matters  of  the  heart, 
she  still  might  be  enraged  by  the  knowledge  that  another 
woman  had  baffled  her  intrigues,  and  by  her  superior  power 
with  the  Shah  had  assumed  into  her  hands  all  the  management 
of  Alfonso's  military  fate.  He  decided  for  these  reasons  to 
allow  Irene  to  live  under  the  delusion  that  the  old  woman, 
Ayesha,  was  the  heroine  of  the  love  scene  in  the  gardens  of  the 
Shah.  But  how,  when,  or  where  he  should  ever  again  meet 
either  Irene  or  his  mistress,  was  the  difficulty  of  his  present 
condition. 

In  the  midst  of  these  perplexities  of  the  young  officer  the 
spring  advanced,  and  the  great  event  of  the  year,  the  feast  of 
Nowroose,  was  at  hand.  He  could  not  look  upon  this  festival 
with  indifference.  The  Prince  Royal  had  notified  him  that  it 
would  be  the  occasion  of  his  military  recognition  at  court. 
How  valuable  this  recognition  might  be  to  him  he  could  only 
conjecture.  He  found  his  friend,  the  Ghebre,  who  often  visited 
his  camp,  reticent  upon  the  subject.  The  Crown  Prince  would 
certainly  endeavor  to  secure  him  the  command  of  five  thousand 
more  cavalry.  This  was  certain,  as  the  Prince  had  promised  to 
use  his  influence  with  his  royal  father  to  this  extent.  When 
the  designated  time  had  arrived,  Alfonso  donned  his  full  uni 
form,  and  sought  the  dread  presence  of  the  great  potentate  of 
Persia,  whose  word  was  the  life  or  death  of  the  subject. 

The  feast  of  the  Nowroose,  or  that  of  the  commencement  of  the 
new  year,  was  instituted  by  the  celebrated  Jemsheed,  the  sixth 
in  descent  from  Noah,  whose  ark  alighted  upon  Ararat,  an  ice- 
clad  mountain  on  the  boundary  line  of  Persia  and  Turkish 
Armenia.  Tradition  designates  him  as  the  fourth  sovereign  of 
Persia  of  the  race  of  Kaiomurs.  This  festival  has  been  alike 
observed  by  the  ancient  Magi  and  the  followers  of  Mahomet. 
It  continues  six  days.  On  the  first  the  king  bestows  marks  of 


142  IRENE. 

his  favor  on  the  humblest  class  of  his  subjects,  addressing  the 
throng  from  his  throne.  On  the  second,  he  rewards  his  coun 
sellors  and  ministers  of  state.  On  the  third,  he  recompenses 
the  learned  and  skillful.  On  the  fourth,  he  receives  his  royal 
relations  and  the  great  mass  of  the  nobility.  The  last  two  days 
are  devoted  to  rejoicings,  feasting,  and  horse-racing.  It  is 
called  also  "  The  Feast  of  the  Waters,"  in  commemoration  of 
the  subsidence  of  the  deluge.  It  corresponds  to  the  Saturnalia 
of  the  Romans.  During  the  festival,  eggs,  dyed  or  gilded,  are 
mutually  presented  by  the  citizens.  On  the  evening  preceding 
the  day  of  its  commencement  the  king  sends  abroad  his  kaalats, 
fine  shawls  and  similar  gifts  as  badges  of  honor  to  the  persons 
highest  in  his  consideration,  who  are  expected  to  don  them 
during  the  festive  time.  With  the  Persians  the  new  year  com 
mences  with  the  opening  of  spring,  in  the  last  of  March.  From 
this  festal  day,  therefore,  look  for  the  rapid  swelling  and  1  mist 
ing  of  the  bud,  the  sudden  upshoot  of  the  grass,  the  wonderful 
development  of  Oriental  flowers,  and  the  luxuriance  of  foliage 
coming  like  enchantment. 

Passing  through  the  streets  of  Teheran,  which  were  thronged 
by  the  crowds  making  their  way  to  the  palace  —  Alfonso  slowly 
and  in  the  full  splendor  of  his  military  uniform  entered  a  spacious 
area,  shaded  with  trees  and  intersected  by  water,  in  the  centre 
of  which  appeared  the  splendid  edifice  where  the  Shah  receives 
the  homage  of  his  subjects.  About  the  fountains  were  china 
plates  loaded  with  fruits,  and  pyramids  of  oranges,  pears,  apples, 
grapes,  and  pomegranates,  alternating  with  vases  filled  with 
flowers.  Here  also  were  regular  rows  of  the  finest  china  bowls 
filled  with  delicious  sherbet.  In  two  parallel  lines  stood  the 
Khans  and  officials,  arrayed  in  costly  attire  of  gold  or  silver 
brocade,  some  wearing  the  royal  Kaalat,  a  pelisse  lined  with 
fine  furs  and  covered  with  the  richest  embroidery.  Their  heads 
were  bound  with  Cashmere  shawls  of  every  hue  and  value. 
They  were  all  assigned  their  positions  by  the  grand  marshal  of 
the  palace.  This  official  was  preceded  by  a  Persian  bearing 
before  him  an  enamelled  wand  surmounted  by  a  golden  eagle, 
which  Xenophon  declares  was  the  early  ensign  of  Persia. 

Then  the  royal  procession  made  its  appearance;  the  numer 
ous  sons  of  the  king  marching  in  advance  and  superbly  habited 
in  the  richest  brocade  vests  and  shawl-girdles,  from  the  folds 
of  which  glittered  the  jewelled  hilts  of  their  daggers.  Each 
wore  a  robe  of  gold  stuff  lined  ami  collared  with  delicate 
sables,  falling  a  little  below  the  shoulder  and  reaching  the  calf 


IRENE.  143 

of  the  leg.  Around  their  black  caps  they  had  wound  the  finest 
shawls  of  Tabreeze.  Each  wore  bracelets  of  the  most  brilliant 
rubies  and  emeralds  just  above  the  bend  of  the  elbow.  The 
personal  beauty  of  these  princes  was  extraordinary,  the  infusion 
of  Circassian  and  Georgian  blood  in  the  harems  having  per 
fected  the  original  Iranic  stock  till  they  have  become  a  race  of 
the  handsomest  men  on  earth.  With  fine  features,  large,  dark 
eyes  full  of  lustre,  and  possessing  graceful  stature  and  noble 
mien,  they  advanced  to  the  vicinity  of  the  throne. 

At  some  distance,  near  the  front  of  the  palace,  appeared  a 
crowd  of  moullahs,  astrologers,  and  other  sages  clothed  in  their 
more  sombre  garments  of  religion  and  philosophy,  every  person 
standing  quietly  in  his  place  and  awaiting  the  monarch. 

A  sudden  discharge  of  swivels  from  the  camel  corps  without, 
with  clangor  of  trumpets  and  shouts  of  the  people,  announced 
that  the  Shah  had  entered  the  gate  of  the  citadel.  Then  came 
the  appalling  roar  of  two  royal  elephants  trained  to  announce 
the  king.  The  Shah  entered,  advanced  with  the  indescribable 
air  and  step  of  the  genuine  sovereign,  easy  and  graceful  in  per 
fect  majesty,  and  seated  himself  on  his  throne  with  ineffable 
dignity.  He  was  one  blaze  of  jewels  which  literally  dazzled 
the  sight.  A  lofty  tiara  of  three  elevations  was  upon  his  head. 
It  was  composed  entirely  of  thickly-set  diamonds,  pearls,  rubies, 
and  emeralds,  so  exquisitely  disposed  as  to  form  a  mixture  of 
the  most  beautiful  colors.  Several  black  feathersand  a  heron's 
plume  were  intermixed  with  the  resplendent  aigrettes  of  this 
truly  imperial  diadem,  whose  bending  points  were  finished  with 
pear-shaped  pearls  of  immense  size. 

His  vesture  was  of  gold  tissue,  nearly  covered  with  a  similar 
disposition  of  jewels ;  and  crossing  the  shoulders  were  two 
strings  of  pearls,  the  largest  in  the  world.  His  dress  sat  close 
to  his  person,  from  the  neck  to  the  bottom  of  the  waist,  exhib 
iting  a  shape  as  noble  as  his  air.  From  the  waist  it  descended 
in  loose  drapery  and  was  of  the  same  costly  materials  as  the 
vest.  Nothing  on  earth  could  exceed  the  splendor  of  the  broad 
bracelets  round  his  arms  above  the  elbows,  and  the  belt  which 
encircled  his  waist.  They  blazed  like  fire  when  the  sun's  rays 
met  them.  The  jewelled  band  on  the  right  arm,  called  "The 
Mountain  of  Light,"  and  that  on  the  left,  called  "  The  Sea  of 
Light,"  were  the  superb  diamonds  placed  in  the  Persian  regalia 
after  the  sack  of  Delhi.  The  conquests  of  Nadir  Shah  had 
secured  them  for  the  monarchs  of  Iran.  Of  the  sixty  millions 


144  IRENE. 

of  toumans  of  treasure  carried  by  this  chief  to  Persia,  nothing 
was  so  highly  prized  as  these  transcendent  stones. 

The  throne  brought  forth  for  this  occasion  was  a  platform  of 
pure  white  marble,  raised  a  few  steps  from  the  pavement  and 
carpeted  with  shawls  and  cloth  of  gold,  on  which  the  king  sat 
in  the  fashion  of  his  country,  while  his  back  was  supported  by 
a  large  cushion  encased  in  a  network  of  pearls.  The  spacious 
apartment  in  which  this  seat  of  majesty  was  erected  was  open 
from  the  roof  of  the  building  nearly  to  the  earth,  on  the  side 
opposite  to  the  assembled  people,  and  was  supported  in  front 
by  two  twisted  columns  of  white  marble  tinted  with  gold.  The 
interior  of  the  saloon  was  profusely  decorated  with  carving, 
gilding,  Arabesque  painting,  and  looking  glass,  which  latter 
material  was  in  a  manner  interwoven  with  all  the  other  wreath 
ing  ornaments,  gleaming  and  glittering  in  every  part  from  the 
vaulted  ceiling  to  the  floor.  Vases  of  flowers  and  others  filled 
with  rose-water  were  arranged  about  the  apartment,  though  they 
could  scarcely  hg'  seen  from  the  close  ranks  of  the  young 
princes  who  crowded  near  to  their  royal  parent. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

|HILE  the  great  King  was  approaching  his  throne,  the 
whole  assembly,  with  one  accord,  continued  bowing 
their  heads  to  the  ground,  till  he  had  taken  his  place. 
A  dead  silence  then  ensued ;  the  whole  presenting  a 
most  magnificent  and  indeed  awful  appearance  ;  the  stillness 
being  so  profound  among  so  vast  a  concourse,  that  the  slightest 
rustling  of  the  trees  was  heard,  and  the  softest  trickling  of  the 
water  from  the  fountains  in  the  marble  canals.  The  face  of  the 
Shah  seemed  exceedingly  pale  —  of  a  polished  marble  hue  ; 
with  the  finest  contour  of  features  and  eyes,  dark,  brilliant,  and 
piercing ;  a  beard  black  as  jet,  and  of  a  length  which  fell  below 
•a  chest  over  a  large  portion  of  the  effulgent  belt  which  held 
his  diamond  hilted  dagger. 

In  the  midst  of  this  solemn  stillness,  while  all  eyes  were  fixed 
on  the  bright  object  before  them,  which  sat  indeed  as  radiant 
and  immovable  as  the  image  of  Mithrus  itself,  a  volley  of 
words,  bursting  at  one  impulse  from  the  mouths  of  the  mouilahs 


IRENE.  145 

and  astrologers,  made  one  start,  and  interrupted  the  gaze. 
This  strange  outcry  was  a  heraldic  enumeration  of  the  great 
King's  titles,  dominions,  and  glorious  acts,  with  a  panegyric  on 
his  courage,  liberality,  and  extended  power.  When  this  was 
ended,  with  all  heads  bowing  to  the  ground,  and  the  air  ceasing 
to  vibrate  with  the  sounds,  there  was  a  pause. 

Then  his  Majesty  spoke.  The  effect  was  even  more  startling 
than  the  sudden  bursting  forth  of  the  moullahs.  For  this  was 
like  a  voice  from  the  tomb,  so  deep,  so  hollow,  and  at  the  same 
time"  so  penetratingly  loud.  Having  addressed  the  people  he 
looked  toward  Zenayi,  who  stood  at  one  side,  robed  as  usual 
in  white,  and  raised  his  royal  arm,  beckoning  to  him  to  advance. 
The  Ghebre  took  the  hand  of  the  commander  of  cavalry,  who 
stood  near  him,  and  informed  him  that  he  was  expected  by  the 
sovereign,  to  advance  to  the  foot  of  the  throne. 

Totally  unprepared  for  this  summons,  Alfonso  advanced  with 
the  astrologer,  while  thousands  of  eyes  were  bent  upon  him. 
After  proceeding  a  few  paces  the  two  paused,  and  bowed. 
They  then  advanced  into  the  centre  of  the  court,  or  open  space, 
and  bowed  again.  They  then  disengaged  their  feet  from  their 
slippers  (having  red  Kerseymere  socks,  a  kind  of  boot  without 
sole  under  them)  and  drew  still  nearer  to  the  throne.  They 
then  made  a  third  bow.  Proceeding  then  to  the  foot  of  the 
throne,  they  paused  and  saluted  the  monarch  the  fourth  time. 
The  Shah  then  uttered  a  few  words  of  the  most  gracious  wel 
come,  and  made  a  sign  for  them  to  be  seated.  A  luxurious 
divan  of  silk  was  awaiting  them,  and  upon  it  the  two  were  at 
once  seated  in  the  fashion  of  Persia,  with  their  eyes  fixed  upon 
the  King.  Then  a  herald  advanced,  and  in  a  loud  tone,  which 
thrilled  the  multitude,  enumerated  the  services  of  the  young 
officer  of  cavalry,  from  the  rescue  of  the  Shah's  son  until  the 
conclusion  of  the  Turcoman  war.  He  announced  the  gratitude 
of  the  royal  family,  and  of  all  Persia  for  the  valuable  and  heroic 
services  of  Alfonso,  and  proclaimed  that  from  that  hour  he  was 
invested  with  the  command  of  ten  thousand  troops,  to  be  prac 
tised  in  the  cavalry  drill,  which  had  rendered  the  five  thousand 
Turcoman  heroes  so  effective.  His  refusal  of  additional  pay 
was  also  announced,  which  caused  a  murmur  of  applause  to 
run  over  the  assembled  thousands 

When  silence  again  reigned,  the  monarch  of  all  Persia  arose 
to  his  feet  and  descended  the  steps  of  his  throne,  pausing  upon 
the  lowest  tread.  An  attendant  advanced,  bearing  a  large 
golden  tray,  upon  which  rested  a  magnificent  sabre  of  Ispahan, 

7 


146  IRENE. 

whose  gold  sheath  and  handle  were  glistening  with  jewels. 
With  his  own  hands,  the  Shah  invested  the  officer  with  the 
cosily  weapon,  amid  the  murmurs  of  approbation  from  the 
crowd,  and  then  bidding  the  two  to  be  reseated,  he  returned 
to  his  original  posture  on  his  throne. 

Then  a  noble  and  commanding  figure  came  to  the  foot  of 
the  throne,  majestic  and  beautiful.  His  advent  seemed  to 
electrify  the  multitude,  for  their  faces  lighted  with  enthusiasm, 
and  many  eyes  filled  with  tears  of  joy.  They  could  apparently 
scarcely  restrain  their  exultation,  at  sight  of  that  countenance, 
to  the  decorum  proper  for  the  presence  of  royalty.  Then  a 
profound  silence  ensued.  With  breathless  interest,  they  saw 
their  favorite,  Abbas  Mirza,  the  Prince  Royal  of  Persia,  hold 
aloft  something  which  glistened  like  a  star,  turning  it  about  in 
the  air,  till  every  eye  was  fixed  upon  it.  They  knew  it  then 
right  well,  and  they  knew  that  by  the  usage  of  the  court  de 
corum  was  for  the  moment  abolished.  Wild  cheers  of  thou 
sands  of  excited  soldiers  and  citizens  rang  out  upon  the  air, 
and  swelling  away  over  the  city  were  caught  up  by  the  people 
outside  the  court  of  the  palace,  and  re-echoed  until  the  thunder 
of  cannon  from  the  walls  shook  the  air.  The  great  honor  of 
Persia  was  to  be  given  to  the  hero  of  Turcomania.  Pale  and 
agitated,  Alfonso  knelt  upon  the  embroidered  cushion  placed 
for  him.  The  limbs  which  had  never  trembled  in  the  horror  of 
deadly  battle,  trembled  now.  The  Ghebre  was  obliged  to  give 
him  an  arm  to  steady  him  upon  the  cushion,  and  Abbas  Mir/a, 
placing  the  point  of  his  own  royal  sword  upon  the  officer's 
shoulder,  in  the  ceremony  of  investiture,  felt  the  blade  tremble 
in  his  grasp.  The  words  of  the  ceremony  were  soon  over,  and 
the  Prince  Royal,  bending  over  to  the  kneeling  officer,  secured 
to  the  breast  of  his  military  coat,  and  over  his  heart,  the 
magnificent  badge  of  the  Order  of  the  Sun  Lion.  Alfonso 
arose  to  his  feet,  and  was  led  away,  the  happiest  and  most 
excited  man  in  all  Persia.  He  was  now  before  the  nation.  In 
times  of  great  public  danger,  he  might  be  summoned  to  the 
war  councils  of  the  Shah,  and  his  badge  of  honor  was  the 
pledge  that  his  advice  would  be  patiently  listened  to,  and 
treated  at  least,  with  respect.  He  was  by  this  investiture,  in 
fact,  created  a  military  councillor  of  the  Shah,  an  honor  shared 
by  few  of  the  noble  Khans  of  the  empire.  The  grand  marshal 
of  the  palace  met  him  a  few  paces  away  from  the  throne, 
accompanied  by  the  bearer  of  the  golden  eagle,  and  first  bow 
ing  low  to  him,  stepped  forward,  and  flung  upon  his  shoulders 


IRENE.  147 

a  pelisse  of  scarlet  silk,  lined  and  collared  with  costly  white 
furs,  upon  which  was  embroidered  in  gold  the  likeness  of  the 
badge  of  the  Order  of  the  Sun  Lion,  with  which  he  had  just 
been  invested.  If  summoned  at  any  time  to  a  war  council  by 
the  Shah,  this  would  be  the  garment  he  was  expected  to  wear. 
Alfonso  and  the  Ghebre  then  fell  back  to  their  original  places 
in  the  audience,  and  were  instantly  served  with  bowls  of  most 
delicious  sherbet.  Then  came  an  attendant,  and  held  before 
them  a  large  silver  tray,  on  which  lay  a  heap  of  coin,  silver 
shy  and  gold  tomauns.  Imitating  the  action  of  Zenayi,  he 
held  out  both  hands,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  great  fes 
tival  of  Nowroose,  to  be  filled  with  this  royal  largess. 

As  the  ceremony  of  rewarding  different  meritorious  citizens 
went  on  before  the  throne,  in  accordance  with  immemorial 
usage,  Alfonso  had  leisure  to  compose  himself  and  familiarize 
his  sight  with  the  scenes  and  faces  about  him.  Looking  up  to 
one  side  of  the  open  court  he  detected  what  he  had  failed  to 
notice  before  —  the  lattice  of  an  anderoon.  He  felt  confident 
that  this  screen  must  hide  the  faces  of  the  Shah's  women,  from 
its  similarity  of  construction  to  others  he  had  seen.  He  whis 
pered  his  surmise  to  the  Ghebre,  who  assented,  and  informed 
him  that  the  place  was  crowded  with  the  loveliest  women  in 
Persia,  the  property  of  the  monarch,  who  were  allowed  every 
year  to  congregate  behind  the  lattice  and  witness  the  ceremo 
nies  of  Nowroose.  He  asked  the  Ghebre  if  other  ladies  than 
the  Shah's  wives  were  peering  out  there  ;  and  was  gratified  to 
learn  that  female  relatives,  daughters,  and  friends  of  the  royal 
ladies  were  without  doubt  looking  down  upon  him  at  that  mo 
ment.  The  heart  of  the  young  officer  warmed  at  the  thought 
that  perchance  the  mysterious  beauty  of  the  Shah's  garden  was 
looking  upon  him  in  this  moment  of  his  supreme  triumph. 
His  eyes  were  often  turned  up  to  the  lattice ;  but  not  a  thing 
could  he  discover  but  an  occasional  color  of  some  bright  silk 
against  the  cross-bars  of  the  wood,  as  some  unknown  beauty 
pressed  more  closely  against  the  lattice,  in  her  eagerness  to 
peep  through. 

While  he  stood  there  watching  the  anderoon,  and  cursing  the 
fate  which  probably  would  debar  him  from  ever  again  folding 
his  mistress  in  his  arms,  he  was  surprised  to  find  himself  touched 
upon  his  hand  by  a  moullah  who  had  crowded  up  close  to  him 
in  the  throng.  The  action  was  repeated,  until  it  was  evident 
the  priest  was  endeavoring  to  attract  his  attention.  The 
moullah,  seeing  that  his  object  was  attained,  put  his  finger  to  his 


148  IRENE. 

lip  covertly  in  token  of  silence,  and  then,  unseen  by  the  Ghebre, 
slipped  into  the  officer's  hand  a  fragment  of  paper.  When  lie 
could  do  so  without  observation,  Alfonso  looked  upon  the  paper 
and  read  these  words  : 

"In  the  name  of  Persia,  give  me  the  password  to  your  camp 
to-night.  I  will  send  a  messenger  to  you  there.  IRENE." 

With  immediate  acquiescence,  the  officer  whispered  in  the 
ear  of  the  moullah  three  words,  constituting  a  single  name. 
The  man  smiled,  and  soon  after  made  his  way  slowly  out  of  the 
throng.  Seeing  that  the  multitude  were  commencing  to  leave 
the  court,  and  that  the  Shah  had  gone  out  by  another  passage, 
Alfonso  and  the  Ghebre  walked  slowly  out  into  the  streets  of 
the  city,  conversing  upon  the  happy  termination  of  all  their 
schemes  to  gain  a  footing  at  the  court.  The  astrologer  had 
been  in  incessant  communication  with  his  pupil  by  trusty  mes 
sengers  from  the  first  planning  of  the  Turcoman  expedition  until 
the  cavalry  camp  had  broken  up  at  Kasbin.  The  resources  of 
Zenayi  in  the  matter  of  trustworthy  agents  and  facilities  for 
obtaining  early  knowledge  of  court  intrigues  appeared  to  be 
inexhaustible.  He  informed  Alfonso  that  it  was  the  purpose 
of  the  Government  to  establish  a  permanent  camp  near  Teheran, 
and  that  his  present  camp  would  be  the  site  selected,  and  he 
would  be  retained  as  its  commander.  After  mutual  congratu 
lations  upon  the  satisfactory  shape  Persian  military  matters 
were  assuming,  the  officer  remounted  Al-Borak  near  the  gate 
of  the  city  and  rode  out  to  his  camp,  Zenayi  remaining  in  the 
city.  ....... 

The  midnight  moon  sailed  away  in  unveiled  loveliness  above 
the  Persian  camp.  Although  so  near  to  the  city  and  in  the 
midst  of  the  great  festival  of  Nowroose,  the  tents  were  noiseless, 
the  troops  were  sleeping.  No  belated  stragglers  were  coming 
in  to  arrest  the  attention  of  the  watchful  sentinels,  whose  sabres 
flashed  occasionally  in  the  moonlight  as  they  moved.  The 
sentinels  were  as  alert  as  if  the  war  was  still  going  on  and  they 
might  at  any  moment  be  aroused  for  battle.  There  was  no  other 
indication  of  life  abroad  save  the  occasional  stamp  of  the  cavalry 
horses  as  they  stood  in  long  rows,  each  fastened  by  the  right 
forefoot  to  a  picket  rope  on  the  ground.  It  was  wonderful  that 
among  so  many  thousands  of  troops  such  quiet  and  order 
should  reign.  But  the  soldierly  spirit  of  their  commander  had 
worked  like  awi/ard's  spell  upon  the  men.  Something  seemed 
to  whisper  to  them  that  in  imitating  him  were  safety  and  future 


IRENE.  149 

advantage  to  each  of  them.  They  were  already  recognized 
and  treated  by  the  people  as  heroes ;  the  Shah  had  presented 
to  them  a  handsome  sum  of  money  for  their  families,  and  future 
rewards  were  promised  if  their  soldierly  perfection  should  con 
tinue.  They  knew  that  no  Persian  troops  had  ever  before 
received  such  careful  and  considerate  attention  from  a  com 
mander.  From  admiring  the  skill  and  courage  of  their  chief 
they  had  now  come  to  love  him  for  the  unfaltering  kindness 
and  watchfulness  for  their  individual  interests  he  ever  manifested. 
His  face  was  familiar  in  every  tent,  and  they  anticipated  from 
his  leadership  in  the  future  great  renown  and  spoils.  He  had 
excited  their  rivalry  with  other  corps  of  the  army,  and  promised 
to  place  them  as  far  ahead  of  the  other  troops  as  the  other 
troops  were  ahead  of  the  keepers  of  the  bazars.  His  wonder 
ful  magnetic  influence  was  upon  them,  and  they  were  ready  to 
die  for  him,  and  for  the  Persia  he  extolled  to  them  in  such  elo 
quent  language.  Some  enchanter's  wand  surely  had  fallen  to 
him,  so  silent  and  orderly  was  the  great  camp,  stretching  away 
in  the  full  glory  of  the  moon. 

One  tent  alone,  a  huge  circular  pavilion,  exhibited  signs  of 
life.  It  was  illumined  by  a  lamp,  and  before  it  was  a  sentinel. 
A  superb  carpet  from  Tabreez  covered  the  ground  within; 
and  in  the  midst  of  a  pile  of  cushions,  which  were  both  bed  and 
table,  was  stretched  the  young  chief,  busily  studying  a  number 
of  maps  of  North-western  Persia.  The  brilliant  lamp  was 
suspended  from  the  top  of  the  pavilion  by  a  long  silver  chain, 
and  hung  low,  nearly  touching  the  officer's  dark  hair,  as  he 
reclined  there  at  ease,  but  intensely  thoughtful.  He  had 
spread  the  maps  on  the  cushions  about  him,  and  turned  from 
one  to  another  from  time  to  time.  There  were  maps  of  the 
provinces  of  Iran-Ajemi,  Azerbijan,  Ardelan,  Ghilan,  Mazan- 
deran  —  all  in  North-western  Persia,  or  touching  on  the  Cas 
pian  Sea.  There  were  two  or  three  maps  also  of  Armenia  and 
Georgia,  and  these  appeared  to  occupy  the  greater  part  of  his 
attention.  His  eager,  handsome  face  was  bent  low  to  these 
maps,  that  he  might  trace  out  the  minute  subdivisions,  and  the 
route  of  the  smaller  streams,  which  are  always  so  unsatisfactorily 
traced  and  denned  on  maps.  His  long,  black  moustache  nearly 
drooped  upon  the  maps  as  he  studied  them.  He  seemed  de 
termined  to  make  himself  master  of  the  subject  before  he 
dropped  it,  and  recurred  again  and  again  to  the  maps  after 
long  periods  of  reverie. 

His  studies  were  interrupted  by  a  sudden  challenge  just 


1 50  IRENE. 

before  his  tent.  The  hour  was  so  late,  that  the  interruption 
aroused  his  curiosity.  He  listened  to  the  voice  of  the  intruder, 
giving  the  password,  "  Futteh  Ali  Shah."  He  had  selected 
the  name  of  the  sovereign  of  IVrsia,  in  honor  of  his  conde 
scension  in  bestowing  the  jewelled  sabre  with  his  own  hands. 
He  heard  then  a  slight  altercation  between  the  sentinel  and  the 
stranger,  regarding  gaining  admittance  to  the  tent.  In  another 
instant  the  curtains  of  the  pavilion  were  thrust  apart,  and  the 
head  of  the  sentinel  appeared.  The  soldier  announced  a  mes 
senger  who  had  received  the  password  before  the  throne  of  the 
Shah. 

"  It  is  right     Admit  him,"  said  the  commander. 

The  soldier  saluted  his  chief  and  withdrew.  Alfonso  fixed 
his  eyes  upon  the  entrance  to  the  pavilion,  expecting  to  dis 
cover  the  figure  of  the  moullah,  to  whom  he  had  entrusted  the 
countersign.  To  his  surprise,  a  soldier  of  the  royal  artillerv, 
then  under  the  efficient  command  of  British  officers  sent  to  the 
Shah  from  India,  appeared  at  the  entrance,  gave  him  the  mili 
tary  salute,  and  advancing  a  few  paces  into  the  pavilion,  halted 
respectfully.  The  young  Persian  was  handsome,  but  slender, 
and  his  eyes  dazzling  in  their  softness  and  beauty.  He  was 
evidently  a  son  of  some  Khan,  and  might  be  serving  in  the 
artillery  with  a  view  to  a  future  lieutenancy  in  that  superb  and 
renowned  corps  of  the  army.  The  English  officers  had  raised 
the  Persian  artillery  to  an  efficiency  equal  to  the  best  in  the 
English  service. 

"  Advance  and  deliver  your  message  ! "  said  the  commander. 

The  soldier  came  nearer  into  the  fullness  of  the  lamp-light, 
and  halted  again.  Standing  there  in  the  splendor  of  the  artil 
lery  uniform,  and  with  the  light  shining  full  upon  his  fair, 
Georgian  face,  his  lustrous  eyes,  and  dark,  drooping  moustache, 
he  seemed  to  the  cavalry  chief  as  handsome  a  young  soldier  as 
his  eyes  had  ever  rested  upon. 

"  I  come  from  Irene,"  was  the  response,  delivered  in  a  low, 
cautious  tone,  as  if  fearful  of  being  heard  outside. 

"  I  was  certain  of  that,"  replied  the  chief,  noting  the  anxious 
glance  the  soldier  cast  towards  the  direction  of  the  sentinel. 
"But  come  nearer,  and  be  seated  upon  this  cushion.  Then 
we  can  converse  without  hazard  of  being  heard." 

The  handsome  Persian  advanced,  and  occupied  the  cushion 
in  the  fashion  of  his  country.  Alfonso  gave  a  searching  glance 
into  the  messenger's  face,  and  then  exclaimed,  "  It  is  Irene  1 
Woman,  are  you  mad  ?  " 


IRENE.  151 

"No;  not  mad,"  she  replied,  with  intense 'feeling  and  ear 
nestness  ;  "  but  there  is  terrible  danger  to  Persia  gathering  fast, 
and  for  this  alone  am  I  here,  at  the  hazard  of  my  life  and  my 
honor." 

"  I  tremble  for  you,  Irene,"  he  said.  "  You  appreciate  your 
danger." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  she  said,  with  a  gesture  of  impatience.  "  But 
you  do  not  hear  me.  Persia,  Persia  is  in  danger  ! " 

She  emphatically  pronounced  the  name  of  her  country  as  if 
that  one  word  caused  every  other  consideration  of  life  or  death 
to  sink  into  insignificance. 

"  Do  not  heed  my  peril  or  your  own,"  she  added,  fixing  her 
beautiful  eyes  upon  him.  "  Perils  lie  thick  and  varied  before 
us  both,  to  which  this  risk  of  mine  to-night  will  be  as  the  fire 
of  a  caleeoon  to  the  home  of  Eblis.  Listen  to  the  danger  of 
Persia  and  hush  every  other  apprehension." 

"  I  am  attentive,"  he  replied,  raising  himself  from  the  re 
cumbent  position  in  which  the  girl  had  surprised  him  and  seat 
ing  himself  upon  a  cushion  opposite  to  her. 

"You  comprehend,  do  you  not,"  she  said,  "the  difficulties 
and  disputes  which  have  arisen  between  Persia  and  Russia  from 
that  wretched  treaty  of  Gulistan  ?  " 

"  I  do,"  he  said,  amazed  to  discover  that  she  was  about  to 
speak  of  the  very  subject  upon  which  his  thoughts  were  en 
gaged  when  her  arrival  was  announced.  "  Look  at  these 
maps,"  he  continued,  pointing  to  the  cushions  about  him.  "  I 
was  studying  this  boundary  question  when  you  entered.  Go 
on." 

"  Did  you  know,"  she  responded,  "  that  the  Emperor  of 
Russia  had  sent  Prince  Menzikoff,  as  ambassador  extraordi 
nary,  to  the  Court  of  Teheran,  to  reconcile  the  differences 
regarding  the  disputed  territory?" 

"  I  did.  The  Ghebre  told  me  that  the  ambassador  of 
Nicholas  would  soon  be  here." 

"  Menzikoff  is  here,"  she  exclaimed,  with  startling  earnest 
ness.  "  He  is  here  in  the  city,  and  he  has  been  insulted  by  the 
Shah.  There  will  be  war  if  some  of  these  madmen  are  not 
stopped." 

Her  eyes  glistened  with  terrible  earnestness.  Her  listener 
was  fully  aroused  now. 

"Insulted,  Irene  ?"  The  government  surely  is  in  the  hands 
of  the  prudent  and  the  wise." 

I  thought  so  too  a  few  hours  ago.     The  Ghebre  concurred 


IRENE. 

with  me  that  there  was  no  serious  danger  of  rupture  between 
the  two  powers.  But  there  has  been  an  undercurrent  of  mad 
ness  which  we  had  not  detected,  and  now  war  is  imminent. 
Listen  to  nlfe.  Menzikoflf  has  been  granted  an  audience  to 
day.  When  he  presented  the  Kmperor's  letter  to  the  Shah,  the 
latter,  instead  of  taking  it  in  his  own  hand,  the  usual  mark  ot 
respect  to  a  foreign  potentate,  made  a  sign  to  the  Prince  to  lay 
it  upon  a  cushion,  a  mark  of  contempt  and  insult  to  his  royal 
master." 

Alfonso  sprang  to  his  feet  in  the  thrill  of  excitement  and 
apprehension.  "  There  will  be  war.  How  unfortunate  for 
Persia !  We  are  not  half  prepared.  Why  do  you  come?" 

"  Simply  because  you  know  that  we  are  not  prepared.  You 
will  be  summoned  to  the  war  council.  Your  tongue  is  fire. 
It  will  eat  into  the  hearts  and  brains  even  of  madmen.  Go  ! 
and  denounce  this  war  as  only  you  can.  I  trust  the  safety  of 
my  Persia  in  your  hands.  Go  to  the  war  council  and  stop 
this  madness.  The  blessing  of  every  Persian  woman  and  child 
will  attend  your  success.  Go,  and  the  blood  of  Irene  will  flow 
for  you  at  any  time  and  at  every  time." 

She  was  wild  with  excitement,  and  she  had  not  overrated  the 
danger.  He  regarded  her  for  an  instant,  splendid  even  in  her 
strange  garb,  pleading  for  her  country. 

"  How  stands  Abbas  Mirza  ?  "  he  said. 

"For  war  I" 

"  You  know  this  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  Abbas  Mirza  is  at  the  bottom  of  the  whole  affair." 

"And  I  will  have  to  oppose  my  counsel  to  his?" 

"  You  will,"  she  said,  steadily  regarding  the  expressions  of 
his  superb  face.  She  could  read  his  secret  thought  like  a 
book.  He  remained  silent  in  reflection. 

"  The  struggle  is  going  on  in  your  mind  between  your  ambi 
tion  and  your  sense  of  wisdom,"  she  said. 

"  How  can  you  know  that,  Irene  ?" 

"  By  a  woman's  insight,  when  she  knows  that  what  is  dear  to 
her  is  at  stake.  You  regret  to  lose  the  friendship  of  Abbas 
Mirza.  You  will  lose  it ;  but  that  loss  will  only  be  for  a  time. 
Your  great  qualities  will  lead  him  back  to  you.  Oppose  him 
now,  and  wisdom  will  be  on  your  side  ;  Zenayi  will  be  on  your 
side,  and  one  other  who  is  potent  to  help  your  advancement." 

"  And  who  is  that  other  ?     Ayesha  ?  " 

"  No.     Ayesha  will  go  with  Abbas  Mirza." 

"  Then  who  is  that  other,"  he  asked. 


IRENE.  153 

"  Irene  /"  she  replied,  as  she  eagerly  regarded  him. 

The  commander,  whose  decisions  were  rapid  and  prompt  in 
emergencies,  answered  her  thus  : 

"  I  will  go  on  the  side  of  Irene." 

The  eyes  of  the  girl  were  full  of  light,  exultant,  joyful  light. 

"  Is  this  decision  irrevocable,  Alfonso  ?  " 

"  Irrevocable,"  he  answered  firmly. 

"  And  you  will  denounce  the  war  in  the  council  of  the 
Shah  ?  " 

"  With  all  the  power  that  Allah  has  given  me." 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

EFORE  proceeding  to  detail  the  stirring  scenes  which 
followed  rapidly  upon  the  midnight  interview  between 
the  commander  of  cavalry  and  Irene,  it  is  due  to  the 
intelligent  reader  to  sketch  enough  of  the  historical 
facts  connected  with  the  war  of  1826-28  between  Persia 
and  Russia,  to  afford  him  an  idea  of  the  real  points  of  the 
controversy.  The  reader's  own  experience  and  knowledge 
of  nations  will  teach  him  that  a  brave  people  are  capable  of 
displaying  the  noblest  heroism  and  self-sacrifice  when  their 
country  is  in  danger,  no  matter  what  pretences  or  misrepresen 
tations  or  errors  of  the  government  have  involved  the  nation,  in 
the  horrors  of  war.  The  mysteries  of  diplomacy  are  so  tortuous 
in  questions  of  boundary,  that  the  masses  of  the  people  may 
well  be  pardoned  for  not  comprehending  the  details  of  the 
controversy  which  terminates  in  battle.  But  it  is  safe  to  hold 
that  when  a  people  see  their  territory  torn  from  them  gradually 
and  by  successive  encroachments  of  a  huge,  overshadowing 
power,  they  must  possess  some  instinct  of  right  and  of  self- 
defence  when  they  rise  and  heroically  struggle  to  prevent  that 
power  from  despoiling  them  still  more. 

,  The  following  may  be  regarded  as  a  fair  statement  of  the 
grounds  upon  which  Russia  based  her  claim  of  right  to  carry 
on  her  second  war  with  Persia.  No  admirer  of  the  former 
power  would  be  likely  to  demand  for  her  a  more  favorable 
statement. 

\Vhen  Russia  in  1812  and  1813  was  collecting  all  her  re- 

7* 


1 54  IRENE. 

sources  to  oppose  the  invasion  of  Napoleon,  and  disentangling 
herself  from  every  embarrassment  which  might  hamper  her  ex 
ertions  in  a  contest  in  which  her  existence  was  at  stake,  she 
put  an  end  to  the  war,  then  existing  between  her  and  Persia, 
by  the  treaty  of  Gulistan,  In  that  treaty  the  boundary  between 
the  territory  of  the  two  countries  on  the  north-west,  toward 
Georgia,  had  not  been  marked  out  with  sufficient  distinctness, 
no  other  line  of  demarcation  having  been  assumed  than  the 
positions  occupied  by  the  belligerent  armies,  not  following 
either  any  natural  limit,  like  that  of  the  mountains  and  rivers, 
or  any  succession  of  artificial  works,  such  as  towns  and  for 
tresses.  The  Khanats  of  Shirvan,  Karabun,  and  Noucha  had 
been  ceded  to  Russia ;  but  they  were  still  governed  by  their 
ancient  Khans,  who,  acknowledging  the  Emperor  Alexander  as 
their  sovereign  lord  instead  of  the  Shah  of  Persia,  still  retained 
their  ancient  laws  and  customs,  were  separated  by  their  reli 
gious  belief  from  their  Christian  superiors,  and,  while  paying 
formal  homage  to  Russia,  preserved  their  attachment  to  Portia, 
cemented  as  it  was  by  conformity  of  faith,  similarity  of  lan 
guage  and  manners,  and  ancient  recollections.  The  disputes 
about  the  frontier  were  perpetually  renewed.  Russia  alleged 
that  Persia  had  taken  possession  of  a  tract  of  country  expressly 
ceded  to  Russia  in  the  treaty  of  Gulistan  ;  while  it  was  certain 
that  Russia,  certainly  without  authority  from  that  treaty,  had 
taken  possession  of  part  of  the  Persian  territories  on  the  Lake 
of  ( ioktscha. 

These  differences  had  long  been  the  subject  of  negotiation 
between  the  two  courts,  and  Russia  had,  in  the  meanwhile, 
continued  to  occupy  the  disputed  ground.  No  threat  or  ap 
pearance  of  hostilities  had  as  yet  occurred  on  either  side.  Rus 
sia  had  offered  to  restore  the  territory  in  question  upon  the 
district  belonging  to  her  and  occupied  by  Persia  being  given  up 
in  return ;  or  to  exchange  it  for  another  tract  described  to  be 
of  far  less  value,  and  whose  dry  and  arid  soil  offered  no  com 
pensation  except  the  vicinity  of  the  lake.  At  length  it  was 
agreed  between  General  Yermoloff,  the  Russian  commander  in 
Georgia,  and  Abbas  Mirza,  the  Prince  Royal  of  Persia,  that  it 
should  be  retained  by  Russia,  and  that  Persia  should  receive  in 
return  a  tract  of  land  between  the  rivers  Kapan  and  Kapanat- 
chy.  The  sovereign  of  Persia,  however,  .never  ratified  this 
agreement. 

Nicholas,  immediately  on  his  accession,  despatched  Prince 
Menzikoff  as  ambassador  extraordinary  to  the  Court  of  Teheran, 


IRENE.  155 

to  announce  his  accession  to  the  throne,  and  put  the  finishing 
hand  to  the  arrangement  regarding  the  line  of  demarcation  ;  au 
thorizing  him,  if  it  should  be  necessary  for  the  final  settlement 
of  the  matter,  to  give  up  to  Persia,  in  addition  to  the  district 
of  the  Kapan,  part  of  the  neighboring  district  of  Talyschine. 
Prince  Menzikoff,  on  his  arrival  on  the  frontiers,  was  treated 
with  the  highest  respect.  Abbas  Mirza  himself  received  him 
at  Tauris,  and  expressed  to  him  the  most  friendly  assurances. 

But  Abbas  Mirza,  who  was  heir-apparent,  having  been  named 
by  his  father  to  succeed  him,  and  whom,  therefore,  Russia  had 
bound  herself  by  the  terms  of  the  treaty  of  Gulistan  to  recog 
nize  as  successor,  was  not  favorable  to  a  peace  which  left  so 
much  of  the  spoils  of  war  in  the  hands  of  his  adversary. 
Whether  from  uncalculating  ambition,  national  antipathy,  dis 
trust  of  Russia,  or  mere  precipitate  folly,  he  had  been  watching 
a  favorable  opportunity  for  recovering  from  Russia  by  force 
part,  at  least,  of  the  spoils  which  she  had  secured  to  herself  at 
the  peace  of  1813.  He  thought  that  he  had  now  found  it,  and 
that  the  occupation  of  the  disputed  territory  by  Russia  would 
furnish  a  good  pretext  for  war,  while  the  discontents  of  the  new 
subjects  of  Russia  would  both  be  useful  instruments  in  prosecut 
ing  it  and  render  it  popular  at  home.  The  Mahommedans  of 
Georgia  were  averse  to  the  rule  of  an  infidel ;  the  petty  chiefs 
were  dissatisfied  with  a  power  which  abridged  their  own  prerog 
atives,  and,  by  its  greater  strictness  in  comparison  with  the  su 
premacy  which  had  been  exercised  by  Persia,  compelled  them 
to  remember  that  they  were  subjects  in  reality  as  well  as  in 
name.  In  some  places  the  violence  and  misconduct  of  the 
Russian  soldiery  and  of  some  of  the  inferior  Russian  agents 
had  produced  general  discontent  among  the  lower  orders  of 
the  people.  In  the  Persian  camp  near  Sultania  a  Chousk  of 
Karabang  made  the  following  speech  to  the  Shah  :  "  Man,  do 
you  call  yourself  the  King  of  the  Mohammedans,  and  idly  pass 
your  time  in  the  harem  when  Mussulmen  are  daily  abused  by 
infidels  ?  I  was  obliged  to  look  on  while  five  Russian  soldiers 
violated  my  wife  in  Karabang.  I  spit  at  your  beard" 

All  these  circumstances,  exaggerated  and  enforced  by  the 
moullahs,  the  Persian  priesthood,  had  produced  a  general  be 
lief  in  the  country  that  Georgia  was  eager  to  rise  in  arms 
against  its  northern  oppressors,  and  that  now  was  the  time  for 
Persia  to  drive  buck  the  neighbor  before  whose  advance  she 
had  hitherto  been  compelled  to  recede.  A  solemn  appeal  in 
defence  of  the  suffering  believers  in  the  Prophet  was  made  to 


1 56  IRENE. 

the  people  by  the  moullahs  and  despatched  to  the  provinces, 
to  be  read  in  all  the  mosques ;  calling  into  action  religious 
prejudices  which  are  such  powerful  motives  to  popular  action 
everywhere,  and  in  the  East  rise  so  easily  to  fanatical  enthu 
siasm. 

Abbas  Mirza  was  assisted  by  the  prime  minister,  Alaiar  Khan, 
who  was  likewise  his  brother-in-law  •  and  supported  by  the 
public  wishes,  they  prevailed  over  the  pacific  dispositions  of  the 
King,  representing  to  him  how  much  he  would  gain  in  the 
opinion  of  all  true  Mahommedans  by  standing  forth  as  the 
champion  and  avenger  of  their  religion  and  to  what  degrada 
tion  of  character  he  must  submit  if  he  refused  to  listen  to  the 
prayers  of  his  brother-believers,  groaning  under  the  oppression 
of  an  infidel  yoke.  ..... 

The  above  sketch  of  the  historical  situation  will  enable  the 
reader  to  comprehend  the  violent  passions  which  agitated  every 
class  of  society  at  the  Persian  capital,  and  indeed  throughout 
the  empire,  and  crushed  to  the  earth  at  length  the  counsels  of 
the  wise  and  the  prudent. 

Before  consenting  finally  to  a  declaration  of  war,  Futteh  All 
Shah,  the  Persian  monarch,  who  possessed  little  independence 
of  character,  a  mere  Bibulus  in  the  conduct  of  affairs,  and  ruled 
by  Abbas  Mirza  and  by  his  favorite  women,  called  a  council  of 
war,  secretly  hoping  that  the  moderate  men  would  prevail,  and 
his  reign  continue  to  the  end  in  peace.  He  knew  that  a  few 
of  his  leading  generals  were  disposed  to  advocate  a  postpone 
ment  of  hostilities  to  a  future  period  when  all  the  forces  of  the 
empire  would  be  in  a  more  efficient  state  for  war.  These  saga 
cious  chiefs  of  his  army  were  all  summoned  to  the  conference. 
But  Abbas  Mirza,  by  his  own  expostulations  and  by  his  influence 
over  Ayesha,  the  Shah's  favorite  wife,  contrived  to  have  a  large 
number  of  his  own  adherents  among  the  officers  of  rank  sum 
moned  also.  The  consequence  was  that  the  war  council  in 
the  audience  hall  of  the  Shah  was  more  numerous  and  stormy 
than  any  which  had  assembled  within  the  century.  Zenayi,  the 
favorite  counsellor  of  the  Prince  Royal,  was  not  summoned  for 
two  adequate  reasons.  He  was  a  well-known  adherent  of  the 
proscribed  religion  of  Zoroaster,  and  the  religious  character  the 
war  party  was  rapidly  assuming  would  create  a  prejudice  against 
his  counsels.  Orthodoxy  was  rampant,  and  true  believers  alone 
should  guide 'the  counsels  of  the  Shah.  Again  Abbas  Mir/a 
was  the  only  man  who  wielded  influence  sufficient  to  induce 
tlie  monarch  to  summon  the  Ghebre.  Zenayi  had  boldly  noli- 


IRENE.  157 

fied  the  Prince  Royal  that  he  was  decidedly  antagonistic  to  his 
war  scheme  as  being  premature  and  detrimental  to  the  best  in 
terests  of  Persia.  Words  had  run  high  between  these  warm 
friends,  and  Abbas  Mirza  determined  not  to  have  the  Ghebre 
summoned. 

With  regard  to  Alfonso  there  was  a  conflict  of  opinion  among 
the  advocates  for  war.  The  young  hero  had  risen  like  a  meteor 
in  the  regard  of  the  Persian  people.  His  recent  brilliant 
achievements,  his  powers  of  fascinating  the  soldiery,  and  his 
precocious  talents,  coupled  with  the  late  public  recognition  of 
his  military  merit,  made  it  hazardous  to  refuse  him  admittance 
to  the  war  council.  He  unquestionably,  by  usage,  had  the 
right  to  expect  a  place  in  the  council,  since  he  had  received  the 
decoration  of  the  Order  of  the  Sun  Lion.  Moreover,  certain 
influential  moullahs  demanded  his  admittance.  He  had  won 
their  regard  by  his  courtesy  and  by  his  strict  observance  of  the 
regulations  of  their  faith  ;  and  they  predicted  for  him  a  glorious 
career  in  his  battles  for  the  true  believers. 

They  justly  imputed  his  splendid  successes  to  his  military  supe 
riority.  They  therefore  publicly  advocated  his  claim  to  be  heard 
in  the  council.  The  Prince  Royal,  apprehensive  that  the  gallant 
cavalry  commander  would  view  the  war  through  the  eyes  of 
the  Ghebre,  his  friend  and  instructor,  had  announced  to  Ayesha 
his  purpose  of  having  him  excluded  from  the  council.  To  his 
amazement  this  favorite  wife  of  the  Shah  pronounced  a  brilliant 
eulogium  upon  the  young  commander,  and  declared  that  if  his 
wisdom  and  military  discernment  were  not  allowed  to  be  heard 
in  the  council  she  would  personally  influence  the  Shah  to  ex 
clude  some  of  the  Prince  Royal's  adherents  also.  This  decided 
the  question.  Ayesha  was  a  power,  and  her  wishes  were  not 
to  be  trifled  with  or  neglected.  Alfonso  was  formally  summoned, 
and  Irene  and  the  Ghebre,  when  they  met,  as  they  often  did, 
in  secret  exulted  over  their  unseen  and  unknown  triumph  over 
"  the  power  behind  the  throne." 

Danae  was  not  more  amazed  when  Jupiter  visited  her  in  the 
form  of  a  shower  of  gold  than  was  the  commander  of  cavalry 
to  receive  this  brief  note  from  Irene  by  the  hands  of  the 
Ghebre  : 

"  You  will  be  summoned  to  the  war  council  by  the  direct 
interposition  of  Ayesha.  Abbas  Mirza  was  moving  to  have  you 
excluded.  Never  hesitate  again  to  tell  an  old  hag  she  is 
beautiful." 


1 58  IRENE. 

Alfonso  turned  the  contents  of  this  note  over  and  over  again 
in  his  mind.  Who  had  interposed  this  time  in  his  favor  ?  Was 
it  the  genuine,  old  Ayesha,  or  the  beautiful  substitute  of  the  gar 
den  ?  He  was  astute  enough  to  know  that  the  Ghebre  and  his 
confederate,  Irene,  were  the  real  movers  in  his  behalf.  But 
upon  which  woman  in  the  anderoon  were  they  working,  and  were 
they  really  conscious  that  he  had  a  young  and  beautiful  advo 
cate  always  pleading  his  cause  in  the  harem,  and  whose  name 
never  appeared  ?  Sometimes  it  occurred  to  him  that  perhaps 
Ayesha  and  the  unknown  beauty  were  acting  in  concert  in  his 
behalf.  Perhaps  the  veiled  beauty  was  the  daughter  of  Ayesha, 
and  the  mother  had  connived  with  her  to  have  her  receive  his 
admiration  with  reference  to  a  future  marriage.  Mothers  are 
ambitious  for  their  daughters  as  well  within  as  without  the  walls 
of  the  harem.  If  this  supposition  were  correct,  how  exasper 
ated  Irene  would  be  some  day  at  the  discovery.  The  more  he 
reflected  upon  this  solution  of  the  mystery,  the  more  plausible 
it  appeared  to  him.  If  Ayesha,  with  all  her  influence  over  the 
Shah,  was  indeed  pushing  his  claims  to  preferment  in  the  hope 
of  marrying  him  to  her  relative  what  rapid  progress  might  he 
not  make  if  only  he  could  contrive  to  be  brought  into  immedi 
ate  communication  with  Ayesha  herself !  How  superior  a  woman 
must  she  be,  if  she  were  strong  enough  to  turn  over  to  another 
the  flattery  which  he  had  sent  to  herself !  He  resolved  that  he 
would  move  heaven  and  earth  to  secure  a  personal  interview 
with  the  Shah's  old,  but  favorite  wife.  But  upon  further  reflec 
tion,  he  remembered  that  once  discovered  in  a  secret  interview 
with  a  wife  of  the  monarch,  his  ambitions  would  be  thwarted 
and  his  head  fall  into  a  basket. 

In  the  midst  of  his  bewilderment,  and  while  tortured  at  the 
fate  which  separated  him  even  from  a  glimpse  of  his  unknown 
mistress,  he  received  a  peremptory  order  to  present  himself  at 
once  at  the  citadel  to  participate  in  a  council  of  war.  Girding 
himself  with  the  sabre  presented  to  him  by  his  sovereign,  and 
flinging  over  his  shoulders  the  scarlet  silk  pelisse  of  the  Order 
of  the  Sun  Lion,  he  summoned  a  dehbdshim  decurion  of  cavalry 
to  attend  him,  and  mounting  to  the  back  of  Al-Borak,  dashed 
off  toward  Teheran.  Entering  at  the  Casvin  gate,  he  made  his 
way  through  the  narrow  and  crowded  streets,  for  the  festival  of 
the  Nowroose  still  continued,  and  reached  the  court  of  the  cita 
del,  where  his  dehbdshi  took  charge  of  his  horse,  while  he  pro- 
cmlcd  to  the  presence  of  the  king.  It  chanced  to  be  the 
morning  when  a  review  was  to  take  place  in  the  court  of  the 


IRENE.  1 59 

citadel.  On  his  way  to  the  grand  saloon,  he  passed  through  the 
great  meidan  where  the  artillery  were  stationed.  It  was  crowded 
with  military,  infantry,  and  cavalry,  the  latter  being  in  readiness 
to  march  individually,  man  and  horse,  before  His  Majesty. 
Their  arming  was  curious,  hardly  two  alike :  some  bearing  musk 
ets  ;  some  long  spears ;  others  shields,  sabres,  and  pistols ;  their 
costumes  varying  with  their  weapons.  Some  were  in  shirts  of 
mail,  with  the  high  black  cap  of  the  country.  Others  wore  iron 
skull-caps,  with  the  scarlet  dresses  of  the  country.  There  were 
others  in  warlike  garb  from  top  to  toe,  being  completely  arrayed 
in  chain  armor,  with  lofty  helmets  gallantly  plumed  and  wrapped 
round  the  frontlet  with  shawls.  Alfonso  smiled  at  the  lack  of 
uniformity.  It  contrasted  oddly  enough  with  the  long  lines  of 
his  own  superb  corps,  habited  every  man  alike. 

An  elevated  building  overlooking  the  south  side  of  the  mei 
dan  contained  the  open  chamber  whence  the  Shah  was  to 
review  the  assembled  troops.  A  clangor  of  trumpets  announced 
His  Majesty's  entrance,  when  the  cavaliers  immediately  set  forth 
to  gallop  singly  across  the  square,  flourishing  their  arms,  shak 
ing  their  spears,  and  going  through  all  the  accustomed  exercise 
of  firing,  charging,  et  cetera,  at  full  speed.  These  desperate 
chargings  were  performed  before  avenues  of  grandees  and  pop 
ulace,  by  the  finest  horsemen  in  the  world.  The  Shah  was 
seated  at  a  large  open  window,  and  looking  with  marks  of  ap 
probation  on  the  dexterity  of  his  troops.  His  head  was  cov 
ered  with  the  cap  of  his  country,  a  black  lambskin,  worn  alike 
by  prince  and  peasant.  His  robe  was  of  fine  gold  brocade, 
having  a  deep  cape  of  dark  sable  falling  on  his  shoulders.  His 
under  garments  were  composed  of  red  Kashmere  shawls  of  the 
richest  work.  Another  shawl  of  deeper  hues,  but  of  greater 
value,  bound  his  waist,  in  which  was  stuck  a  curved  dagger, 
blazing  with  diamonds,  rubies,  and  emeralds,  and  hung  with  a 
tassel  of  the  largest  pearls,  with  which  he  occasionally  played 
while  he  discoursed.  Behind  him  was  placed  one  of  his  mag 
nificent  cushions,  totally  covered  with  Oriental  network  of 
pearls,  and  tasselled  also  at  its  corners  with  bunches  of  the 
same  costly  ornaments.  Two  Persian  noblemen  stood  a  few 
paces  from  him,  one  bearing  the  royal  mace  or  sceptre,  the 
other  the  shield  and  sword,  each  insignia  of  empire^eing  thickly 
studded  with  every  kind  of  precious  stone.  The  boss  of  the 
shield  was  one  entire  ruby,  which  for  size,  color,  and  perfection 
is  not  to  be  matched  in  the  world. 

Alfonso   had   taken   his   station   in   the   saloon  during  the 


l6o  IRENE. 

review,  standing  some  distance  from  the  King,  and  amid  a 
group  of  military  officers,  some  of  whom  knew  and  recognized 
him.  When  the  review  was  over,  the  Shah  turned  from  the 
window,  and  after  receiving  the  homage  of  his  chiefs,  and  ad 
dressing  a  few  words  to  each  of  them,  requested  them  to  be 
seated  upon  the  divans  about  him,  as  the  conference  would  be 
long.  While  Abbas  Mirza  was  having  a  private  conversation 
with  his  royal  father,  the  hero  of  Toorkomania  had  an  oppor 
tunity  to  study  the  face  of  the  King.  He  traced  His  Majesty's 
features  line  by  line,  ascertained  every  detail  of  his  physiog 
nomy,  and  felt  new  interest  in  the  varieties  of  its  expression. 
His  complexion  was  exceedingly  pale  ;  but  when  he  spoke  on 
subjects  that  excited  him,  a  vivid  color  rushed  to  his  cheek, 
but  only  for  a  moment,  it  passed  so  transiently  away.  His 
nose  was  very  aquiline.  His  eyebrows  were  full,  black,  and 
finely  arched  with  lashes  of  the  same  appearance,  shading  eyes 
of  the  most  perfect  form,  dark  and  beaming  ;  but  at  times,  full 
of  a  fire  that  kindled  his  whole  countenance,  though  in  general 
its  expression  was  that  of  languor.  His  beard  was  black  as 
jet,  ample  and  long,  and  tapering  to  a  point  considerably 
below  the  hilt  of  his  dagger.  The  almost  sublime  dignity  which 
this  form  of  beard  added  to  the  native  majesty  of  his  features, 
can  scarcely  be  conceived  by  an  Occidental ;  and  the  smile 
which  often  shone  through  it,  ineffably  sweet  and  noble,  rather 
increased  than  diminished  the  effect.  Yet  the  enervating  style 
of  his  life  was  evident,  both  in  the  languid  movement  of  his  eye 
when  he  sat  quiescent,  and  from  the  usual  hollow  tone  of  his 
otherwise  sonorous  voice,  but  which,  like  the  occasional  flashes 
from  his  eyes,  became  powerful  when  under  the  influence  of 
animating  discourse. 

When  the  private  conference  between  the  Shah  and  his  son 
had  terminated,  Abbas  Mirza  took  the  first  place  of  honor,  on  a 
d*ivan  near  the  sovereign,  and  the  council  of  war  was  formally 
opened.  The  Prime  Minister,  Alaiar  Khan,  who  sat  next 
below  the  Prince  Royal  in  the  line  of  dignitaries  stretching 
down  the  saloon,  arose  to  his  feet,  and  bowing  toward  the  Shah, 
proceeded  to  read  aloud  a  document,  detailing  the  grievances 
to  which  Persia  had,  for  many  years,  been  subjected  by  Russia. 
The  gradual€absorption  of  territory  by  the  latter  power,  under 
one  pretence  or  another,  from  time  to  time,  and  the  military 
struggles  that  had  ensued,  were  ably  portrayed  in  this  State 
paper,  and  the  dissimulation  of  Russia  in  her  statements  of  her 
case  before  the  world  were  severely  animadverted  upon.  Her 


IRENE.  l6l 

encroachments  upon  Persian  territory  on  the  Lake  of  Goktscha, 
notwithstanding  the  treaty  of  Gulistan,  were  clearly  stated,  and 
the  belief  expressed  that  she  would  never  relinquish  her  hold, 
unless  by  force  of  arms.  The  same  master  hand  that  had 
traced  the  lines  of  this  State  paper  exposed,  in  language  calcu 
lated  to  thrill  every  patriotic  heart,  the  outrages  in  their  persons, 
property,  and  religion,  to  which  Persians  had  been  subjected 
by  the  Russian  officers  and  soldiery.  Redress  had  been  de 
manded,  but  no  indications  had  Nicholas  manifested  of  remov 
ing  his  brutal  agents  or  granting  pecuniary  indemnity. 

The  document  further  recited  the  universal  indignation  of 
the  Persian  people,  and  their  demand  for  a  war  which  should 
hurl  back  the  invaders,  and  restore  the  honor  and  glory  of 
the  Empire.  Then  came  an  appeal  directed  to  the  religious 
prejudices  of  the  council.  Should  the  infidel  forever  be  al 
lowed  to  encroach  upon  the  domain  of  the  faithful,  until  the 
name  of  Mahommedan  became  the  synonyme  for  cowardice 
and  ignominy  ? 

Amid  a  murmur  of  applause,  faint,  but  indicating  the  smoth 
ered  passions  ready  to  flame  out,  Alaiar  Khan  resumed  his 
seat.  The  Shah  was  deadly  pale.  He  saw,  as  every  chief 
present  saw,  that  Persia  had  a  good  excuse  for  war,  and  that 
her  reasons  had  been  summed  up  and  presented  by  a  superb 
intellect.  Few  present  doubted  regarding  the  authorship  of 
the  document  which  demanded  blood.  It  was  the  work  of 
Abbas  Mirza,  the  heir-apparent  to  the  throne  of  Persia,  and 
( the  man  who  had  the  greatest  interests  at  stake.  The  favorite 
of  the  people  demanded  war. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

"  For  Pleasure  and  Revenge 
Have  ears  -more  deaf  than  adders  to  the  voice 
Of  any  trite  decision."  — TROILUS  AND  CKESSIDA. 

[MID   the   profound  silence  which   ensued  upon   the 
reading  of  the  document,  was  heard  the  faint  rattle 
of  the  pearls  as  the  Shah  played  nervously  with  the 
tassel  of  his  dagger.     At  length  the  startling  hollow- 
ness  of  the  monarch's  voice  sounded  through  the  hall,  request- 


1 62  IRENE. 

ing  an  expression  of  opinion  from  any  chief  who  had  aught  to 
say  to  strengthen  the  statements  just  presented  in  favor  of  a 
war  with  Nicholas  of  Russia.  Then  one  by  one  the  advocates 
for  war  arose  to  their  feet,  and  urged  further  reasons  for  hos 
tilities,  or  suggested  specific  plans  and  arrangements  for  the 
campaign.  Respectfully  they  waited  for  each  other,  no  one 
among  that  intensely  agitated  throng  appearing  hasty,  or  anx 
ious  to  precede  his  neighbor  in  rising  to  his  feet.  At  length 
all  the  advocates  for  war  had  spoken,  save  only  the  commander- 
in-chief  of  the  Persian  army,  Abbas  Mirza,  upon  whose  shoul 
ders  must  rest  all  the  responsibilities  of  the  campaign.  The 
Shah,  turning  to  the  silent  chief,  requested  his  opinion.  The 
Prince  Royal  arose  to  his  feet,  and  with  ineffable  dignity  pro 
nounced  calmly  the  following  words,  and  then  resumed  his  seat : 

"  Your  Majesty,  I  favor  the  Avar,  for  the  reasons  so  ably  ad 
vanced  by  my  brother  soldiers." 

The  effect  was  superb. 

Who  now  would  have  the  audacity  to  assert  an  opposing 
opinion  to  the  great  weight  of  military  authority  cast  on  the 
side  of  war?  The  keen  eyes  of  Abbas  Mirza  darted  glances 
into  the  faces  of  the  few  military  leaders  who  had  refrained 
from  speaking,  and  ominously  had  remained  quiescent  upon 
the  divans.  The  Shah  looked  anxiously  and  nervously  in  the 
same  direction.  Would  any  able  expositor  of  the  necessities  for 
peace  arise  from  those  silent  divans  ?  He  hesitated  a  moment 
before  he  would  summon  them,  one  by  one,  to  utter  the  irrevo 
cable  words  which  would  become  a  part  of  the  annals  of  the 
empire.  And  while  the  fearful  silence  reigned,  ominous  sounds 
ascended  through  the  great  open  window  which  looked  down 
upon  the  huddled  masses  of  troops  and  citizens  upon  the  grand 
meidan.  With  the  instinct  of  people  upon  the  eve  of  some 
great  civil  commotion,  they  surmised  what  was  going  on  in  the 
royal  hall  above.  Their  wives,  their  children,  their  country, 
their  religion,  their  homes  were  all  involved  in  what  was  going 
on  there.  At  any  moment  dove-eyed  Peace  or  bloody,  hideous 
War  might  beckon  to  them  from  that  royal  window.  And  they 
were  agitated,  heaving  from  side  to  side  like  waves  of  the  sea, 
and  still  eagerly  gazing  upward  for  a  signal.  They  were 
growing  impatient,  and  cries  were  beginning  to  break  over  the 
throng.  "  War,  war,  war  "  was  the  tenor  of  the  sounds  —  at 
lir>t  the  individual  cry  of  the  bolder  men,  then  waxing  louder, 
wider,  fuller,  until  the  whole  multitude  took  up  the  thrilling  cry, 
and  the  thunder  of  their  united  clamor  burst  over  the  meidan, 


IRENE.  163 

and  rolled  upward  to  the  royal  council  in  majestic  power  and 
startled  the  councillors  upon  their  seats. 

"  Does  Your  Majesty  hear  that  ? "  inquired  the  Prince 
Royal  with  a  smile,  as  the  Shah  remained  silent,  and  still  de 
layed  to  summon  the  remaining  chiefs  to  a  show  of  hands. 

"  1  hear  it  all,  Abbas  Mirza,"  was  the  dignified  response, 
"  and  it  is  the  voice  of  my  people.  But  I  am  the  father  of  my 
people,  and  will  do  nothing  rashly.  Young  commander  of  horse, 
hero  of  Toorkomania,  what  say  you  to  this  cry  for  war  ?  " 

The  cavalry  officer  was  upon  his  feet  in  an  instant.  His 
eyes  brilliant  as  an  eagle's  —  the  soldier  in  every  look  and  atti 
tude.  The  badge  of  the  Order  of  the  Sun  Lion  glistened  upon 
the  breast  of  his  military  uniform,  the  scarlet  silk  pelisse  falling 
gracefully  from  his  shoulders.  All  eyes  were  upon  him.  Fresh 
from  the  theatre  of  glorious  achievement,  there  seemed  a  pro 
priety  in  his  voice  being  heard.  The  listeners  soon  realized 
the  magnetic  character  of  that  voice  and  mien,  which  carried 
the  soldiery  with  him  as  the  autumn  wind  carries  the  leaves. 
His  expression,  lucid  and  energetic,  fell  upon  all  like  a  spell. 

"  I  am  for  the  war  in  the  future  :  I  am  against  the  war  now 
—  earnestly,  decidedly,  utterly  opposed  to  the  war.  I  shah 
oppose  it  until  the  decision  comes.  When  war  is  declared,  my 
sabre  leaps  from  its  scabbard  for  relentless  destruction  upon 
the  enemies  of  Persia.  I  am  the  Shah's  soldier  while  Allah 
grants  me  strength  to  ride  or  stand.  But  I  cannot  and  will 
not  ignore  the  reason  which  Allah  has  planted  in  my  brain. 
Persia  is  not  ready  to  cope  with  the  Muscovites.  One  arm 
and  one  alone  of  the  service  is  thoroughly  equipped  and  drilled. 
The  artillery  is  ready.  The  infantry  at  Sultania  is  not  ready. 
Their  guns  are  unserviceable.  Half  of  them  will  have  to  be 
flung  aside,  or  converted  into  better  arms.  Why  did  not  Gen 
eral  Malek  tell  you  this  in  his  speech  ?  He  is  too  good  a 
soldier  not  to  know  it.  Before  Persia  can  remedy  this  defi 
ciency  of  weapons,  her  ranks  will  be  decimated  by  the  foe. 
The  troops  are  not  clothed  for  those  higher  latitudes,  where 
the  contest  must  be  carried  on.  My  own  troops,  even  as  low 
down  as  Kasbin,  were  suffering  and  sick  from  the  cold  a  week 
ago ;  and  to  conduct  this  war  with  vigor  we  must  strike  at 
once  into  Georgia  before  Yermoloff  can  concentrate  his  troops. 
The  war  will  be  a  long  one.  The  whole  power  of  Russia  will 
be  hurled  against  us,  and  splendidly  equipped  as  is  every 
branch  of  her  service,  we  cannot  stand  long  the  shocks.  It  is 
madness  to  fight  now.  In  a  year  we  can  be  ready.  And  with 


1 64  IRENE. 

all  the  earnestness  and  the  emphasis  which  can  ccme  from  a 
soldier's  heart  I  entreat  Your  Majesty  to  delay.  Negotiate, 
procrastinate,  quibble  —  do  anything  to  gain  time  for.  more 
perfect  organization.  We  will  slave  ourselves,  Your  Majesty, 
to  prepare  your  troops  that  they  may  not  be  sacrificed  uselessly 
upon  this  altar  of  blood. 

"  The  women  of  Persia,  who  relinquish  fathers,  and  sons,  and 
husbands  at  your  call,  have  a  right  to  demand  this  ;  to  demand 
time,  equipment,  and  weapons,  that  the  brave  hearts  they  push 
to  the  front  may  have  a  chance  to  live. 

"  The  spirit  and  courage  of  the  Persian  army  are  superb. 
Give  us  but  the  time  and  the  money,  and  we  will  make  that 
army  triumphant. 

The  fortress  of  Abbas  Abad  is  not  ready.  Heavier  guns 
must  be  mounted,  and  to  effect  this  we  must  have  time,  for  it  is 
near  the  frontier.  The  fortresses  of  Erivan  and  Ardebil  are 
not  ready,  and  they  will  be  attacked  early  in  the  campaign.  I 
knffwthey  are  not  ready ;  and  this  document  (in  the  handwriting 
of  your  best  engineer)  which-I  hold  in  my  hand  tells  you  plainly 
how  long  it  will  take  to  make  them  impregnable ;  now  they  can 
not  stand  a  siege  of  ten  days. 

"You  are  initiating  a  war  with  the  colossal  enemy  of  all  small 
kingdoms  and  states,  That  enemy  adds  to  her  overwhelming 
numbers  the  marvellous  potency  of  drill.  Her  myriads  move, 
wheel,  charge,  die,  by  the  magic  of  a  single  will.  The  wizard, 
unity,  triumphs  in  war.  Meet,  then,  this  detested  foe  as  equals. 
Drill  triumphs  over  numbers. 

"We  are  not  ready. .  Hence  I  entreat  Your  Majesty  to  pause. 
I  feel  all  the  exultation  of  the  combat  with  this  detested  plunderer 
of  nations  that  all  Persians  feel.  But  a  cruel  reality  incessantly 
dissolves  the  enchanting  vision  of  victory,  and  recalls  my  atten 
tion  to  realities,  to  the  suffering  and  wretchedness  which  must 
alight  upon  tens  of  thousands  of  brave  men  who  march  out  un 
prepared.  These  brave  hearts  so  willing  to  die  are  Your  Maj 
esty's  hearts.  I  entreat  you  in  the  name  of  humanity  to  give 
these  hearts  a  chance  to  live  and  to  triumph. 

By  the  flowery  and  seductive  path  of  transient  glory  and  by 
the  impetus  of  lofty  courage  have  Your  Majesty's  able  generals 
here  assembled  reached  this  immature  decision  for  immediate 
war.  Reason  and  the  permanent  glory  of  great  Persia  are 
arrayed  upon  the  side  of  present  peace.  Yield  but  to  a  year's 
delay  and  preparation,  and  our  great  chief,  the  Crown  Prince, 
shall  lind  an  army  worthy  of  his  skillful  command  and  his  great 


IRENE.  165 

genius.  The  transcendent  vigor  of  his  powers  shall  then  act 
upon  the  marshalling  of  soldiers,  not  upon  a  patriot  rabble. 

"  If  this  madness  of  precipitancy  shall  go  on,  and  our  swords 
be  drawn  against  our  military  judgments,  mark  the  prediction. 
Persia  will  be  stripped  of  other  territory.  Her  sons  will  be  fur 
ther  humiliated,  and  her  widows  mourn  uncalled-for  slaughter. 
I  am  earnest  and  strong  in  my  speech,  because  I  love  the  lives 
of  my  soldiers  and  the  honor  of  the  flowery  land.  And  when 
upon  my  grave  you  drop  the  comrade's  tear,  remember  that  I 
deprecated  this  war  now  with  my  whole  soul,  my  whole  power, 
and  the  whole  energy  of  my  tongue. 

"  Listen  to  me,  and  heed  not  the  shouts  of  the  unreasoning 
populace  without.  They  speak  from  the  heart.  Our  duty  is 
to  speak  from  the  head.  Listen  to  me  for  the  last  time. 
There  is  in  the  sandy  desert  towards  the  Persian  Gulf  a 
shrub  which  the  people  call  gul-bad-samoun  (the  flower  that 
poisons  the  wind).  This  plant  impregnates  the  warm  breeze 
of  the  Persian  summer  with  a  quality  so  deadly,  that  it  kills 
those  who  inhale  it.  Such  a  deadly  plant  now  poisons  the 
moral  air  of  Iran.  All  who  inhale  its  noxious  vapors  are  poi 
soned,  and  thus  is  the  life  of  Persia  poisoned  too.  This  plant 
is  passion  and  its  exhalation  death.  Military  chiefs  and  mon- 
archs  are  truly  great  when  they  bury  passion  and  wield  the 
destinies  of  a  great  empire  by  godlike  reason!' 

With  his  dazzling  eyes  fixed  upon  Abbas  Mirza  at  the  con 
cluding  sentence,  the  eloquent  commander  stood  an  instant  in 
silence,  as  if  watching  the  effect  of  his  shaft  upon  the  statesman 
of  Persia.  Then  he  slowly  resumed  his  seat.  A  thrill  of  admi 
ration  at  his  boldness  and  eloquence  passed  over  the  Prince 
Royal,  but  he  remained  silent.  Occasionally  he  would  raise 
his  dark  eyes  and  study  the  cavalry  officer  as  if  he  was  one 
whose  nerve  and  power  must  be  remembered  in  the  future. 
How  deep  the  shaft  had  penetrated  none  could  tell,  for  he  re 
mained  in  the  same  attitude  and  awaited  the  result.  But  other 
commanders,  thrilled  and  encouraged  by  this  intrepid  leader 
ship  of  the  opposition,  arose  successively  to  their  feet  and 
added  further  details  to  his  statement  of  the  insufficiency  of 
Persia's  preparation.  One  gray-headed  general  of  horse  took 
occasion  to  pay  a  glowing  tribute  to  the  splendor  of  Alfonso's 
discipline,  and  to  declare  his  conviction  that  the  Persian  cavalry, 
now  equal  to  the  Cossacks,  would  surpass  them,  if  all  were 
subjected  to  the  drill  of  the  young  commander's  heroes  just 
outside  the  walls  of  Teheran. 


1 66  IRENE. 

The  conference  continued,  the  Shah  still  hopeful  that  the 
eloquence  of  Alfonso  might  turn  the  tide  of  opinion  to  a  year's 
delay.  But  the  spirit  of  revenge,  so  difficult  to  allay  in  an 
Oriental  when  once  aroused,  triumphed  over  every  prudent 
consideration.  Arguments  were  futile.  The  great  majority  of 
the  chiefs  had  entered  the  hall  predisposed  for  war,  believing 
that  Russia  might  be  surprised  and  taken  at  disadvantage.  They 
were,  moreover,  under  the  influence  of  the  religious  frenzy 
aroused  by  the  moullahs  or  unwilling  to  incur  the  displeasure 
of  Abbas  Mirza.  When,  therefore,  all  the  military  and  other 
officials  had  individually  expressed  their  views,  it  was  evident 
that  three-fourths  of  those  present  were  in  favor  of  immediate 
war.  The  Shah  was  convinced  from  the  manner  in  which  this 
earnest  controversy  had  been  conducted,  that  the  great  prepon 
derance  of  intellect  and  wealth  in  the  nation  had  pronounced 
for  hostilities.  He  at  once,  then,  without  divesting  himself  of 
the  dignity  that  was  innate  to  him,  arose  and  declared  that  war 
should  commence  at  once,  and  ordered  Abbas  Mirza  to  march 
the  troops  as  soon  as  practicable  to  the  frontier.  The  excitement 
outside  continuing  unabated,  the  sovereign  advanced  to  the 
window,  attended  by  his  nobles,  bearing  the  insignia  of  the  em 
pire,  and  announced  to  the  assembled  thousands  that  war  was 
declared.  Scarcely  had  the  cheers  died  away  which  greeted 
this  welcome  announcement  when  the  booming  of  cannon 
shook  the  air.  The  people  were  wild. 

The  King  returned  to  his  seat  and  a  strange  scene  ensued. 
Alfonso  held  aloft  his  arm  as  a  signal  that  he  desired  to  be 
heard.  The  Shah  signified  his  assent,  and  the  commander  of 
cavalry  immediately  left  his  divan  and  advanced  towards  his 
sovereign.  Pausing  and  bowing  at  intervals  he  saluted  for  the 
fourth  time  at  the  foot  of  the  throne.  Then  he  drew  the  mag 
nificent  sabre  which  the  monarch  had  given  him  at  the  public 
audience  of  Nowroose,  and  kneeling  before  the  king  laid  it  at 
his  feet,  and  announced  that  he  craved  the  honor  of  dedicating 
that  weapon  to  an  unrelenting  war  upon  Russia,  The  excite 
ment  was  fearful.  Every  chief  in  the  saloon  leaped  from  his 
divan  and  crowded  behind  him,  with  drawn  sabres  flashing  in 
the  sunlight,  and  united  in  the  same  request  The  emotion  of 
the  Shah  was  visible.  He  could  scarcely  speak. 

"  Noble  hearts  !  "  he  said  at  length,  "  you  that  know  the  haz- 
zards  and  the  horrors  of  war,  ask  your  sovereign  to  accept  your 
blood.  The  Persia  that  we  all  love,  the  land  of  glory  and  of 
heroes  even  from  the  very  cradle  of  time,  gives  you  her  thanks. 


IRENE.  167 

May  Allah  bless  you  and  return  you  safe  to  your  homes  and 
those  you  love  !  I  cannot  speak,  for  the  grandeur  of  youi 
eagerness  to  sacrifice  and  suffer  for  my  Persia,  and  your  Persia, 
overwhelms  me.  But  you  go  to  this  war  with  the  heart  of  your 
sovereign  linked  with  each  of  your  noble  hearts  as  steel  is 
linked  with  steel.  I  accept  every  one  of  you,  and,  as  Allah  is 
my  judge,  you  shall  every  one  of  you  receive  a  king's  reward. 
Rise,  now,  and  sheathe  your  sabres.  Nicholas  shall  know  how 
an  outraged  Persian  king  and  a  noble  Persian  people  can  fight 
for  their  country. 

As  Alfonso  was  about  to  leave  the  Casvin  gate  with  his  deh- 
Ms/ii,  on  his  return  to  camp,  he  encountered  the  Ghebre,  who 
beckoned  to  him  to  halt.  Zenayi  was  one  of  a  group  who  were 
seated  near  the  gate  listening  to  one  of  the  professional  story 
tellers  seen  everywhere  in  the  East,  and  who  are  never  at  a 
loss  for  an  audience.  The  commander  obeyed  the  signal,  and 
waited  for  his  friend  to  come  up  with  him. 

"  Dismount  and  come  with  me,"  was  the  Ghebre's  first  salu 
tation.  Seeing  that  the  commander  hesitated,  he  continued  : 
"  Leave  your  horse  with  the  dchbdshi.  You  can  be  spared 
sometime  yet  from  the  camp.  This  is  public  business  and  you 
must  know  it  —  come." 

The  tone  was  peremptory,  and  admitted  of  no  parley.  Al 
fonso  surrendered  Al-Borak  again  to  his  attendant  and  followed 
Zenayi.  As  they  entered  once  more  the  narrow  streets  of  the 
city  he  said  to  the  Ghebre  : 

"You  know  that  war  has  been  declared  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  know  what  all  Teheran  knows  by  this  time.  You 
will  soon  see  that  we  propose  to  be  prompt  and  early  in  this 
trying  time.  What  I  am  about  to  show  you  is  to  be  entirely 
confined  to  yourself.  Speak  of  it  to  no  one." 

They  passed  on  to  the  second  street,  filled  with  the  excited 
populace  discussing  the  war  topic,  and  entering  through  an 
arch  a  small  courtyard  of  a  private  residence,  paused  before  a 
door  upon  which  the  Ghebre  rapped  with  his  knuckles.  A 
fountain  was  playing  in  the  courtyard,  and  for  a  moment  they 
heard  only  the  plashing  of  its  waters.  Then  the  door  flew 
open,  and  they  followed  the  servant  who  appeared  into  a  large 
room  elegantly  furnished  in  the  Oriental  style.  Directing  Al 
fonso  to  be  seated  on  a  divan,  Zenayi,  who  appeared  to  be 
familiarly  known  in  the  place,  passed  on  unbidden  with  the 
domestic,  and  disappeared  in  an  apartment  beyond.  The 


1 68  IRENE. 

officer,  left  to  himself,  awaited  the  Ghebre's  return.  At  length, 
when  his  patience  began  to  be  exhausted  and  he  moved  un 
easily  upon  the  divan,  wondering  what  public  business  could 
find  shelter  in  this  private  dwelling,  the  door  slowly  opt-in  d 
from  within  and  a  solitary  figure  closely  veiled  entered  the 
apartment  and  paused  before  the  divan.  He  could  sec  that 
the  female  was  elegantly  attired  in  the  costliest  materials  of 
the  East,  and  that  elegance  was  her  birthright.  She  held  him 
in  suspense  for  only  an  instant.  Then  she  drew  aside  her  veil, 
entirely  revealing  the  loveliest  face  upon  which  he  had  ever 
looked  in  Persia.  It  was  Irene.  Lovely  and  beautiful  as  he 
had  deemed  her  before,  she  was  transcendently  dazzling  now. 
Some  excitement  had  flushed  her  fair  cheek  with  roses,  and 
there  was  a  subdued  lustre  in  her  dark  eyes,  as  if  some  holy 
emotion  had  usurped  the  place  of  the  sparkling  merriment  or 
lire  which  was  wont  to  play  in  those  perfect  orbs  of  light.  She 
looked  like  a  queen-martyr,  as  if  she  had  divested  herself  of 
everything  like  selfishness,  and  was  going  forth  to  make  some 
great  sacrifice.  And  her  looks  did  not  belie  her  purpose. 
Irene  was  going  forth  to  encounter  whatever  of  death,  or  tor 
ture,  or  mental  agony,  or  shame,  or  ruin,  or  despair  Fate  might 
hold  for  her  in  his  iron  hand.  She  was  going  forth  alone,  ready 
to  incur  any  evil  that  her  loneliness  might  entail.  The  woman 
nurtured  in  the  midst  of  affluence  and  protected  by  the  hand  of 
imperial  power  was  going  out  as  a  solitary,  unprotected  girl 
upon  the  world,  and  such  a  world  1 

And  as  she  stood  there  in  her  superb  beauty,  and  told  the 
young  commander  how  willingly  she  made  the  sacrifice,  how 
she  exulted  in  the  opportunity  of  proving  at  last  that  great 
love  she  had  always  borne  for  her  country,  he  felt  the  tears 
gather  in  his  eyes,  and  his  voice  falter.  At  last  he  pleaded 
with  her,  with  all  the  eloquence  God  had  gifted  him  with,  to 
abandon  her  purpose. 

"  Ah  !  brave  soldier,"  she  responded,  "  you  know  that  some 
one  must  go  in  every  war.  And  why  not  I,  who  deem  it  the 
noblest  act  the  patriot  can  do  for  his  country.  Some  deem 
the  loss  of  blood  and  of  limb  the  highest  sacrifice.  But  there 
is  the  halo  of  glory  for  that.  The  world  may  hear  of  that  and 
applaud.  But  for  my  mission,  no  matter  how  successful  and 
valuable  the  service  rendered,  there  is  no  reward  hut  an  igno 
minious  death,  or  the  sneers  of  men,  if  life  is  spared.  Seek  not 
to  move  me.  My  Persia  has  at  last  found  something  valuable 
for  me  to  do.  A  girl  can  help  her,  and  the  girl  will  go." 


IRENE.  169 

"But  there  are  others,  Irene,"  he  pleaded  again,  "who  can 
be  more  efficient  and  useful  than  you.  Your  sex  will  impeda 
you  in  the  most  critical  hours  when  speed  and  punctuality  are 
vital.  Abandon  this  to  those  who  are  competent." 

"  None  are  more  competent  than  I.  Reason  with  your  own 
judgment  and  knowledge  of  me,  and  tell  me  candidly  if  you 
believe  there  is  a  Muscovite  who  can  outwit  Irene  ?  " 

"Not  one.  I  must  speak  the  truth  to  such  a  woman  as 
you." 

"Then  I  shall  go,  and  go  gladly.  But  I  summoned  you  here, 
Alfonso,  to  bid  you  farewell.  I  may  never  return.  And  there 
is  something  in  my  heart  and  brain  that  tells  me  you  are  true 
of  heart  and  noble  —  that  your  soul  can  appreciate  what  I  am 
about  to  do.  It  is  this  yearning  for  sympathy  in  my  mission, 
from  a  noble  and  heroic  heart  that  induced  me  to  inform  you 
of  my  purpose.  Remember  me  kindly  when  I  am  gone,  and  if 
ever  there  is  an  hour,  at  any  time,  in  this  war,  when  one  more 
struggle,  one  more  heroic  effort  may  turn  the  tide  of  battle  for 
my  Persia,  remember  that  I  am  a  spy  in  the  Russian  camp,  that 
I  have  sacrificed  all  for  love  of  my  country,  and  let  that  thought 
nerve  your  arm  to  that  effort,  and  strengthen  your  voice  to 
shout  that  order  which  shall  give  us  victory." 

She  pressed  the  hand  which  he  extended  to  her,  and  before 
he  could  restrain  her,  she  darted  through  the  door  and  he  saw 
her  no  more. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

|HE  luxurious  Persian  spring  awoke  suddenly  to  life 
and  beauty,  like  Psyche  at  the  touch  of  Cupid's  ar 
row.  Upon  the  great  plains  encircling  the  walls  and 
citadel  of  Teheran,  the  bare  earth  as  by  an  enchan 
ter's  power  was  covered  with  a  carpet  of  rich  green.  Even  up 
the  slopes  of  the  adjoining  mountains  on  the  north  the  emerald 
carpet  was  spread,  one  peak  alone  refusing  to  don  the  spring 
color,  and  standing  high  above  his  fellows  clothed  in  his  eternal 
mantle  of  snow.  The  majestic  mountain,  Demewand,  never 
changes  at  the  touch  of  spring,  but  in  his  spotless  white  ever 
overlooks  his  fellows  and  the  plains  around  the  Persian  capital, 
as  if  his  antiquity  dated  back  to  an  epoch  when  all  nature 
8 


I7O  IRENE. 

knew  only  the  eternal  reign  of  white.  "  Demewand  among  the 
Elbrooz  mountains,"  mused  the  commander  of  horse,  as  he  lay 
stretched  at  ease  upon  the  grass  of  the  plain,  "  is  like  the  Ghe- 
bre  among  the  green-robed  nwullahs,  always  clothed  in  white, 
and  in  the  majesty  of  his  intellect  towering  above  them  eter 
nally.  Who  can  he  be  ?  What  caprice  of  the  Eternal  Ruler 
of  the  Universe  has  planted  this  matchless  intellect  in  the 
guise  of  man  upon  the  surface  of  this  flowery  realm  ?  Zenayi 
comprehends  all  learning,  and  has  it  classified  and  ready  for 
immediate  *use.  He  does  not  know  the  future  ;  he  does  not 
know  the  events  to-day  transpiring  in  Persia  beyond  the  limit 
of  his  senses.  But  in  the  past  he  is  a  master.  The  knowledge 
of  all  lands  in  all  ages  of  the  world  seems  to  have  passed  into 
his  intellectual  grasp.  Where,  how,  and  when  has  he  mastered 
the  science  of  war  with  the  same  ease  that  he  has  mastered  as 
tronomy  ?  In  the  details  of  each  branch  of  the  military  service 
he  is  as  learned  as  if  his  days  had  all  been  passed  in  camps. 
How  can  the  human  intellect  master  all  science  in  the  limit  of 
a  lifetime  ?" 

Thus  meditating  after  the  fatigues  of  a  morning  passed  in 
marching  and  counter-marching  five  thousand  new  troops 
raised  for  the  war,  Alfonso  was  stretched  beneath  a  tree  already 
rich  in  its  spring  foliage.  The  scene  spread  out  before  him  in 
the  warm  light  of  the  sun  was  varied  and  beautiful,  and  the 
heat  of  the  Oriental  spring  came  to  him  freighted  with  the  per 
fumes  of  countless  roses  pendent  from  the  walls  of  the  royal 
anderoons  on  both  extremities  of  his  camp.  On  the  right  was 
Tackt  i-Kajer,  with  its  enclosures  overtopped  by  luxuriant  shade 
trees,  and  looming  up  from  its  foundations  on  a  detatchcd  and 
commanding  hill  on  the  great  southern  slope  of  the  Kl- 
brooz  mountains.  The  palace  within  its  walls,  lofty  and  fairy- 
like  in  the  delicacy  of  its  outlines,  was  distinctly  traced  against 
the  pale-blue  sky  and  drifts  of  downy-white  clouds  beyond. 
The  stateliness  of  this  royal  structure  was  enhanced  by  the 
superb  ranges  of  terraces  connecting  the  spacious  gardens  as 
they  diverged  from  the  base  of  the  palace  downward  towarci 
the  bottom  of  the  hill.  On  his  left  was  the  peerless  Nfgauris- 
tan,  buried  in  luxuriant  sweets,  where  Irene  and  his  veiled  mis 
stress  had  communed  with  him.  And  beyond  Ne^attristan  was 
the  city,  with  its  outworks  bristling  with  cannon,  and  beyond 
all  were  the  Klbroo/  and  the  white  In  owed  Demewand  guard 
ing  the  hori/on  for  miles  away  upon  the  north.  From  the  sum 
mit  of  the  knoll  where  his  pavilion  was  pitched  and  his  solitary 


IRENE.  I/I 

tree  stood,  he  overlooked  a  startling  array  of  military  camps 
covering  the  green  plains  about  the  capital.  And  as  his  eyes 
ranged  over  the  thousands  of  tents,  and  the  banners  of  Persia 
flying  everywhere  to  the  breeze  above  the  luxuriant  carpet  of 
grass,  he  could  not  forbear  to  remember  how  soon  the  lovely 
young  velvety  grass  would  be  stained  with  the  bright  heart- 
blood  of  thousands ! 

And  as  he  rested  there  with  his  elbow  deep  in  the  grass  sup 
porting  his  head,  and  with  the  varied  scenery  of  the  springtime 
contrasting  with  the  blue  and  white  of  heaven,  as  his  dark  eyes 
roved  far  and  wide,  the  thought  of  his  own  singular  destiny  came 
to  him.  By  what  an  extraordinary  combination  of  circumstances 
had  he  gained  influence  and  wealth.  He  was  the  most  affluent 
man  in  the  empire  whenever  he  chose  to  divest  himself  of  his 
word  of  honor  to  the  Ghebre.  Most  men,  he  knew,  would  violate 
any  promise  to  secure  the  enjoyment  of  so  vast  a  treasure. 
He  did  not  deny  to  himself  that  he  was  often  tempted  to  forget 
his  vow,  to  ignore  his  honor.  But  he  had  always  shaken  off  the 
temptation.  He  shook  it  off  now,  when  the  glimpses  he  caught 
of  the  luxurious  gardens  and  the  stately  palaces  aroused  his 
passions,  and  suggested  to  him  that  to  enjoy  the  ease  and  sen 
suality  of  a  prince  he  had  but  to  violate  his  vow  to  devote  the 
hidden  wealth  at  Mourg-Aub  to  the  exclusive  benefit  of  Per 
sia.  He  said  to  himself,  "  I  am  surely  under  the  spell  of  Ze- 
nayi.  When  I  am  tempted,  that  noble  countenance  seems  to 
rise  before  me  with  the  smile  of  an  exalted  friendship  changed 
to  a  look  of  reproach.  I  am  ambitious  as  Caesar.  I  know  it. 
I  intrigue  with  the  harem  to  secure  my  military  advancement. 
I  succeed  by  means  of  the  intrigue.  Doubtless  I  would  not 
hesitate  to  intrigue  again  to  gain  my  purpose.  I  have  been 
advanced  in  the  army  simply  because  I  played  a  double  part  at 
the  suggestion  of  that  master  of  intrigue,  Irene  — that  won 
derful  being  whose  beauty  and  heroism  are  in  contradiction  to 
her  craft.  She  is  artful,  but  she  is  superb.  She  tempted  me 
to  write  that  false  letter,  and  yet  she  has  gone  upon  a  mission 
which  proves  her  to  possess  the  grandest  patriotism  in  Persia. 
She  hazards  her  honor,  her  life,  her  all.  I  trample  upon 
wealth,  and  choose  toil  before  ease,  poverty  before  palaces ; 
and  yet  my  ambition  is  rampant  still.  Has  the  mysterious 
Zenayi  placed  us  both  under  a  spell  of  enchantment  ?  Is 
there  something  God-like  in  the  manifestation  of  noble  quali 
ties  which  can  influence  and  lead  two  such  unscrupulous  in 
triguers  as  Irene  and  Alfonso  ?  Before  the  God  of  Heaven, 


172  IREXE. 

the  Christian's  God,  I  believe  there  is  nobility  of  soul  and  true 
integrity  lurking  somewhere  in  me  yet.  It  is  weak,  but  it  must 
be  there.  I  thrilled  with  a  certain  intensity  of  triumph  when 
I  trampled  on  that  gold.  Would  that  my  life  was  /////  of  such 
noble  thoughts  as  moved  me  then.  Why,  when  this  better 
nature  comes  to  me,  as  it  comes  now,  do  my  thoughts  revert 
to  that  golden  shower  of  silky  hair,  those  dark  eyes  and  that 
girlish  face  beyond  the  sea?  My  boyhood's  dream,  my  Made 
leine,  my  first  defender,  the  convict's  friend,  why  do  my  thoughts 
wander  to  you  when  the  grand  in  my  nature  struggles  for  su 
premacy  ?  Why  did  Irene  in  her  grand  sacrifice  recall  you, 
and  stand  before  me  with  a  radiant  beauty  she  never  seemed 
to  have  before  ?  Are  you  the  essence  of  nobility  and  grandeur, 
that  everything  pure  and  heroic,  everything  unselfish,  recalls 
the  memory  of  your  sweet  face  ?  Where  are  you  now,  Made 
leine  ?  Has  the  perfection  of  womanhood  set  its  seal  upon  you, 
or  are  you  sleeping  under  the  grass  ?  Ha  !  what  is  this  ?  " 

The  commander  raised  himself  to  a  sitting  posture,  and 
looked  upward  in  ama/ement.  He  had  been  looking  toward 
the  blue  sky  while  thinking  of  Madeleine,  and  his  sudden  ejac 
ulation  was  caused  by  something  falling  swiftly  as  if  from  that 
sky.  Down,  down,  down  the  small  object  descended  toward 
him.  and  yet  by  regulated  stages,  as  if  there  was  intelligence 
guiding  its  perpendicular  fall.  Nearer  and  nearer  it  came, 
clearer  and  clearer  was  it  defined  against  the  blue  of  heaven, 
and  still  its  descent  was  regulated  by  some  law  of  nature  or  of 
art.  With  amazement  he  watched  it  come,  and  something  in 
its  shape  or  movement  told  him  it  was  not  of  Persian  origin. 
In  that  land  of  wonders  he  had  never  seen  its  semblance,  and 
with  an  eager  curiosity  he  retained  his  eyes  upon  it  as  it  grew 
larger  and  more  defined  above  him.  Had  he  not  been  gifted 
with  a  power  and  reach  of  vision  such  as  is  ascribed  to  the 
author  of  "  Vathek,"  he  never  would  have  descried  that  object  so 
far  aloft.  It  was  so  minute,  and  came  so  swiftly  and  perpendic 
ularly  downward.  But  once  those  eyes  were  concentrated  on 
a  distant  object  in  field  or  sky,  there  was  no  evading  their 
tenacity  of  vision.  A  field  glass  for  that  officer  of  horse  would 
have  made  him  smile.  He  required  no  such  aid.  When  a 
sailor  before  the  mast,  his  range  of  vision  had  been  deemed 
wonderful  by  his  messmates  and  officers.  In  this  he  exulted 
over  Zennyi,  who  was  a  marvel,  and  whose  very  eyes  sm:: 
the  idea  of  immeasurable  distance.  But  he  could  not  distinguish 
distant  objects  with  the  power  and  clearness  of  Alfonso.  This 


IRENE.  173 

gift  of  vision  served  him  now,  and  down  out  of  the  immensity 
of  upper  air  he  detected  the  object,  falling,  falling,  falling  to 
wards  the  tree  where  he  was  seated.  Nearer,  nearer  it  came, 
until  he  could  identify  it  with  objects  that  have  a  name  on 
earth. 

It  was  evidently  an  immense  bird  dropping  out  of  the  empy 
rean,  and  if  the  descent  continued  in  that  line  the  immense 
creature  would  reach  the  earth  in  his  immediate  vicinity.  He 
had  never  seen  its  like,  and  so  rapidly  now  it  seemed  to 
approach  the  earth,  and  so  wonderful  was  its  size,  that  he  nat 
urally  enough  laid  his  hand  upon  the  hilt  of  his  sabre,  anticipa 
ting  a  combat.  What  clime  had  sent  so  immense  a  winged 
creature  to  Persia  ?  Nearer  and  still  nearer  it  came,  its  dusky 
wings  now  plainly  visible  and  stretching  wide  from  its  body  as 
it  hung  apparently  for  an  instant  a  motionless  shadow  against 
the  sun,  and  then  dropped  swiftly  lower,  lower,  lower  towards 
the  expectant  officer,  who  had  now  risen  to  his  feet  and  stood 
watching  it,  sabre  in  hand.  Then  the  details  of  its  body,  head, 
and  talons  were  manifest  as  it  approached  the  ground,  and  he 
realized  that  the  bird  was  immense  beyond  any  winged  creature 
in  his  experience,  and  was  likely  to  make  him  trouble  if  he  en 
countered  it  single-handed.  This  apprehension  only  whetted 
the  edge  of  his  desire  to  possess  himself  of  the  huge  stranger, 
and  as  it  lowered  at  length  just  above  his  head,  and  fell  like  a 
dark  cloud  upon  him,  he  grappled  it  by  the  neck,  and  a  struggle 
ensued  which  veiled  him  for  a  moment  in  darkness.  The  huge 
wings  folded  about  him  and  covered  his  face,  and  in  the  struggle 
both  man  and  bird  fell  to  the  ground  together.  The  contest 
was  brief,  for  the  man  regained  his  feet,  and  dropping  his  sabre 
put  both  hands  to  the  creature's  neck  and  by  his  iron  strength 
of  arm  bore  it  to  the  earth  and  held  it  there,  amid  a  beating  of 
huge  wings,  which  flapped  upon  his  head  like  blows  from  human 
arms.  When  he  had  reduced  the  stranger  to  submission  he  held 
it  down  with  one  hand,  while  with  the  other  he  disengaged  his 
military  sash,  and  giving  it  two  or  three  turns  around  the  bird's 
neck,  he  knotted  it  and  dragged  his  prey  away  in  triumph  to  his 
tent.  There  he  secured  the  prize  by  a  rope  halter  fastened 
about  one  of  the  legs  and  tied  to  the  pole  of  his  pavilion. 
Upon  examining  and  measuring  the  bird  he  found  that  it  was 
probably  the  famous  king- vulture  (condor)  of  the  Andes.  It 
measured  fifteen  feet  across  the  expanded  wings.  There  were 
indications  of  extreme  exhaustion  about  the  huge  wanderer,  as  if 
from  an  immense  flight  through  space ;  and  doubtless  the  last 


174  IRENE. 

stniggle  with  the  man  was  unpremeditated,  as  the  bird  descended 
exhausted  to  the  earth.  The  great  I  Itimboldt  is  authority  for 
the  statement  that  the  tvrtfett/ flight  alone  of  the  condor  of  the 
Andes  exceeds  twenty  three  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
Where  had  this  traveller  of  the  skies  made  his  start? 
Why  hail  he  changed  hemispheres  ? 

As  the  commander  sat  in  his  tent  eying  his  prize,  he  detected 
suspended  from  the  neck  of  the  king  vulture  by  a  black  ribbon 
a  large  oval  object,  perhaps  half  the  length  of  his  hand,  and 
covered  with  black  leather.  He  soon  cut  the  ribbon,  and 
detached  the  startling  evidence  that  the  condor  had  once  before 
been  captive  to  man.  What  was  his  surprise  to  find  that  the 
oval  leather  was  a  locket,  and  within  upon  an  ivory  plate  was 
painted  an  exquisitely  beautiful  face  and  bust  of  a  young  lady 
with  golden  hair,  fair  face,  and  dark  eyes.  He  knew  it  instantly, 
It  was  Madeleine  developed  into  a  woman,  her  beauty  ripened 
and  intensified,  and  her  power  of  fascination  quadrupled.  She 
was  smiling  upon  him.  Her  image  had  dropped  to  him  from 
the  skies  or  he  was  dreaming.  He  looked  at  the  luminous  eyes 
of  the  strange  bird,  regarding  him.  They  seemed  in  their  wild, 
startled  lustre  to  be  the  eyes  of  a  demon  mocking  him.  He 
knew  that  only  a  lunatic  could  fancy  that  the  image  of  a  girl 
had  cleaved  thousands  of  miles  of  upper  air,  above  seas  and 
mountain  peaks,  to  flash  its  loveliness  in  his  eyes  and  warm  the 
hidden  depths  of  his  soul.  But  there  it  seemed  to  smile  that  ex 
quisite  illusion,  and  in  the  study  of  it  the  veil  of  past  years  was 
rent,  and  he  was  the  boy  again,  with  the  boy's  thoughts  and 
dreams  and  hopes.  Why  did  this  charming  illusion  bring  back 
also  that  shudder  of  the  olden  time?  He  surely  saw  once 
more  that  cold,  leaden  sky,  that  broad  chilly  river,  those  iron 
faces  of  the  officers  who  dragged  him  towards  the  solemn  walls 
of  heavy  masonry,  and  felt  that  cold  hand  of  ice  upon  his  heart 
which  man  calls  despair.  Surely  that  hour  had  returned  when 
iy  rcalixed  what  it  meant  to  be  utterly  alone  in  the  world, 
to  see  the  faces  of  men  and  of  all  men  leering  like  demons  at 
a  boy's  agony.  Aye,  the  death  struggle  had  indeed  returned, 
and  the  young  heart,  crushed  by  the  cruelties  and  wrongs  of 
men,  was  turning  in  its  fierceness  and  its  despair  to  rend  like 
a  wild  beast  its  torturers.  Aye!  the  mother's  face  was  whiten 
ing  as  she  caught  the  clanking  of  chains  fastened  upon  her  boy, 
and  she  was  fainting  at  the  receding  vision  of  a  convict  marched 
away  to  shame. 

He  seemed  to  see  it  all  again,  that  agony  on  the  Western 


IRENE.  175 

hemisphere,  which  had  rendered  him  frantic  so  that  men  fell 
dead  before  his  levelled  musket ;  and  at  the  terrible  memory  he 
buried  his  face  in  his  hands.  The  old  agony  revived ;  the  in 
tervening  years  shrivelled  up  like  a  rising  stage  curtain,  and  the 
scenes  of  blood  and  flight,  and  struggles  with  the  freezing  waters 
of  the  river  —  all  were  manifest.  Then  he  looked  once  more 
upon  the  picture  which  had  come  from  the  sky.  It  was  no 
dream.  It  had  form  and  weight,  that  ivory  miniature,  and  the 
strange  messenger  that  had  brought  it  was  that  moment  flap 
ping  his  huge  wings  in  his  futile  efforts  to  escape.  Perchance 
Madeleine  was  in  South  America,  and  by  some  strange  chance 
her  picture  had  become  attached  to  a  captive  condor  which  had 
escaped  from  his  prison  and  mounted  to  the  skies.  But  she 
lived  ;  she  was  a  lovely  woman  ;  the  grave  had  not  claimed  his 
boyhood's  dream.  Madeleine  lived,  and  he  counted  upon  his 
fingers  how  many  years  had  been  added  to  the  girl's  life  since 
the  seas  had  parted  them  and  he  had  become  a  leader  of 
armies.  Did  she  remember  him,  or  had  he  passed  from  her 
recollection  as  one  of  the  follies  of  a  girl's  fancy  that  now  ap 
peared  to  her  childish  indeed  ?  She  was  a  woman  now,  with 
beauty  to  enthrall  the  loftiest,  and  mature  intellect  to  make  her 
the  centre  of  a  charmed  circle.  She  doubtless  had  no  time  now 
to  think  of  the  escaped  convict.  But  her  image,  by  some  strange 
fatality,  had  crossed  seas  and  hovered  over  mountain  peaks, 
risen  above  the  clouds  and  traversed  thousands  of  miles  of 
strange  climates,  and  its  wonderful  history  would  surprise  her, 
entertain  her,  no  matter  how  she  might  now  be  engaged.  Was 
it  probable  that  the  lovely  Madeleine  would  ever  know  the  fate 
of  her  picture?  For  the  first  time  in  years  the  thought  flashed 
upon  him  that  he  would  write  to  her,  notify  her  that  her  prop 
erty  had  strangely  fallen  upon  Persian  soil.  Would  there  be 
danger  in  that  ?  This  startling  question  recalled  vividly  the  fact 
that  he  was  a  convict.  A  convict  in  one  country,  a  hero  in  an 
other.  In  one  land  the  citizens  would  hunt  him  as  a  wild  beast. 
In  the  other  thousands  blessed  him  as  the  benefactor  of  their 
country,  the  protector  of  their  families  from  tribes  who  would 
enslave  and  maltreat  them.  In  one  land  honored,  in  the 
other  a  felon.  In  one  land  clothed  in  garments  of  shame,  that 
he  might  not  escape  from  prison  walls  unchallenged ;  in  the 
other,  honored  with  a  pelisse  of  scarlet  silk  and  fur,  and  en 
trusted  with  the  leadership  of  ten  thousand  troops,  and  a  favorite 
general  of  a  king. 

But  as  he  pondered  his  actual  condition  he  shook  his  head 


1 76  IRENE. 

at  length.  No ;  it  would  be  unwise  to  entrust  his  name  or 
writing  to  a  fragment  of  paper.  Falling  into  government  hands 
beyond  the  sea,  by  any  natural  chance,  it  might  compromise 
his  present,  his  future,  his  all  of  hope  and  ambition.  Silence 
regarding  his  past  beyond  the  sea,  utter  isolation  from  all  he 
had  known  or  cared  for  in  youth,  brave,  persistent  efforts  right 
onward  into  the  future  —  these  were  the  true  lines  of  conduct 
for  the  soldier  of  destiny.  He  would  not  swerve  from  these. 
He  would  not  cumber  his  pathway  to  glory  with  unnecessary 
hazards. 

Until  in  the  dim  future  a  safe  method  of  restoring  Madeleine's 
property  might  become  manifest,  he  resolved  to  retain  that  im 
age  of  loveliness,  too  pure  and  bewitching  for  earth.  He  would 
study  it  in  the  intervals  of  military  duty,  and  bestow  upon  its 
contemplation  all  the  ardor  that  was  consistent  with  the  vows 
he  had  given  to  his  veiled  mistress  of  the  garden  of  Negauris- 
tan.  And  thus  the  hours  wore  away  in  his  tent  under  the  mild 
spring  atmosphere  of  Persia,  and  still  he  sat  absorbed  in  study 
of  the  marvellous  miniature  and  the  marvellous  messenger  which 
had  not  faltered  on  his  mission  over  thousands  of  miles  of  sea 
and  land. 

From  that  day  the  messenger  condor  became  the  comman 
der's  companion.  He  bent  every  energy  of  his  potent  will  and 
employed  every  suggestion  that  the  sphinx,  Zenayi,  could  offer 
to  the  one  purpose  of  taming  that  king-vulture  to  treat  him  as 
a  friend.  He  fed  him  with  his  own  "liands,  caressed  him, 
watched  him  in  pain  and  applied  remedies,  until  at  last  the 
huge  bird  would  run  after  him,  obey  his  commands,  perch  upon 
the  top  of  his  pavilion,  and  fly  above  his  head  like  an  omen  of 
terror  when  he  bounded  away  upon  •  the  back  of  the  fiery  Al- 
Borak.  The  Persian  soldiery,  ever  ready  to  believe  in  prodi- 
uiguries  and  omens,  looked  upon  this  huge  bird  of  their 
chief,  which  sailed  away  high  above  the  head  of  Al-Borak  and 
his  master  with  dark,  gloomy,  widespread  wings,  as  the  em 
bodiment  of  some  destructive  spirit  the  mysterious  Ghebre  had 
conjured  up  to  aid  the  conquering  onset  of  the  fearless  battle 
hero,  his  friend  Alfonso.  At  length  the  king-vulture  became 
well  known  to  the  Persian  army,  and  when  at  last  patience  and 
training  had  taught  the  bird  to  distinguish  a  Russian  from  a 
;ii  uniform,  and  it  was  found  that  the  commander's  condor 
would  feed  only  on  the  Russian  dead,  the  troops  were  con 
firmed  in  their  belief  that  a  friendly  demon  fought  for  Persia 
and  cast  his  baneful  spell  upon  the  advancing  Russian  columns. 


IRENE.  177 

The  king-vulture  bore  among  the  troops  the  title  " Boshran" 
(good  tidings),  and  his  advent  on  the  battlefield  was  regarded 
as  an  omen  of  victory. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

iUNRISE  seen  from  the  summit  of  ice-clad  Ararat ! 

What  a  vision  of  grandeur  to  the  startled  eyes  that 
first  looked  down  upon  it !  Three  miles  and  a  quarter 
above  the  sea  and  nearly  two  miles  and  three  quarters 
above  the  plain  of  the  Araxes,  the  ice-clad  peak  of  great  Ararat 
glistened  like  a  brilliant  phantom  in  the  morning  sun.  The 
north-eastern  slope  of  the  mountain  stretched  away  downward 
fourteen  miles.  The  north-western  slope  was  twenty  miles  in 
length.  From  the  summit  downwards  for  nearly  two-thirds  of 
a  mile  perpendicular,  or  nearly  three  miles  in  an  oblique  direc 
tion,  it  was  covered  with  a  crown  of  eternal  snow  and  ice.  The 
si/rer  head  of  Ararat  glistening  in  the  sun  !  What  millions  of 
eyes  from  the  earliest  ages  to  the  present  hour  have  looked  up 
to  it  from  valley,  plain,  and  hill  in  wonder.  The  traditional 
resting-place  of  the  Ark,  the  starting-point  of  the  post-diluvian 
races  of  men,  has  attracted  countless  glances  from  below.  How 
few  feet  have  trodden  its  summit  and  looked  down  upon  the 
panorama  of  valleys,  plains,  rivers  and  mountain  peaks !  Ad 
venturous  explorers,  inured  to  hardships  and  familiar  with  up 
ward  toiling,  have  turned  back  from  the  arduous  ascent,  dis 
heartened.  Bolder  men,  gifted  with  iron  purpose,  have  over 
come,  the  obstacles  and  stood  in  triumph  on  the  summit. 

Two  of  the  successful  few  stood  upon  the  glittering  peak, 
when  morning  flung  open  the  golden  gates  of  the  East,  and  with 
tongues  of  admiration  greeted  the  chariot  of  the  sun.  The 
elder  of  the  two  seemed  adapted  to  the  spot  by  the  robes  of 
white  he  wore,  the  sacred  garments  of  his  priestly  office  seem 
ing  to  harmonize  with  the  eternal  crown  of  snow.  The  younger 
was  in  striking  contrast  with  the  scene,  the  bright  colors  of  his 
military  uniform  coming  out  clearly  in  the  increasing  effulgence 
of  the  sun.  White  from  the  earliest  ages  of  Persia  was  sacred 
to  the  sun.  Hence  the  priests  of  the  magi  were  habited  in 
white.  White  was  also  the  peculiar  mark  of  royalty.  Hence 
8* 


178  IRENE. 

the  great  Cyrus  wore  a  vesture  of  purple  half  mixed  with  white, 
and  tradition  traced  his  royal  descent  to  the  sun.  One  of  the 
ancient  line  of  priests  who  followed  the  religious  faith  of  Zo 
roaster,  and  whom  modern  religious  prejudice  has  styled  fire 
worshippers  or  worshippers  of  the  sun,  on  this  superb  morning 
on  ancient  Ararat  fell  upon  his  knees  and  with  outstretched  arms 
greeted  the  sun,  the  symbol  of  his  overruling  God,  Ormu/d. 
His  companion  of  another  faith  respectfully  withdrew  a  few 
paces,  and,  while  the  Ghebre  prayed,  feasted  his  eyes  upon  the 
magnificent  spectacle  spread  out  on  every  side,  miles  below 
him. 

Passing  the  lower  extremity  of  the  snow-cap  which  eter 
nally  covers  the  summit,  his  eyes  wandered  down  over  the 
wooded  slopes  of  Ararat,  on  one  of  which  stood  the  lonelyArmen- 
ian  monastery  of  St.  James,  at  the  entrance  of  a  chasm  whence 
issued  a  cool  stream  of  water  purling  and  flashing  its  way  down 
the  mountain  side  to  the  far-off  Araxes.  Then  his  startled 
eyes  looked  off  over  hundreds  of  miles  of  valleys  and  moun 
tains,  lakes  and  rivers  in  dreamy  distance  varying  the  scene. 
Accustomed  at  length  to  the  fearful  reaches  of  scenery  the  eye 
covers  to  the  verge  of  indistinctness,  the  spectator  resumed  the 
study  of  objects  immediately  below  Ararat  and  along  the  curv 
ing  silver  line  of  the  Araxes  river.  The  Kour  river  winding 
off  to  the  Caspian  Sea,  the  Arpachai.and  Abarane  rivers  pour 
ing  their  mountain  waters  into  the  rapid  current  of  the  Araxes, 
the  serrated  head  of  Aldghes  rising  majestically  in  the  north 
west,  with  the  Panibak  summits  and  other  peaks  of  the  great 
circular  sweep  of  the  Saganlug  chain,  and  the  Armenian  towns 
and  villages  and  monasteries  in  the  arid  and  level  basin  of  the 
Araxes,  overlooked  by  the  north-eastern  mountains,  —  all  came 
under  his  raptured  gaze,  and  he  stood  motionless  as  marble  in 
his  amazement.  Then  with  a  start  he  appeared  to  recognize  a 
beautiful,  dark-blue  lake  on  the  north-east,  beyond  the  Araxes. 
It  was  behind  high  mountains,  which  enclosed  its  shores  ab 
ruptly  and  close;  but  still  the  loftier  summit  of  Ararat  com 
manded  its  tranquil  waters,  and  he  saw  it  glimmering  in  loveli 
ness  amid  its  guarding  mountains.  This  view  alone  of  the 
Lake  of  Goktscha  enabled  him  to  realize  the  awful  altitude  of 
Ararat. 

No  wonder  that  the  commander  gazed  with  renewed  interest 
upon  the  blue  waters  of  Goktscha.  There,  upon  the  lake's 
shores,  had  Russia  violated  the  treaty  of  Gulistan.  There  had 
Nicholas  laid  his  iron  hand  upon  Persian  territory,  and  for  thii 


IRENE.  179 

act  armies  were  gathering  for  battle.  The  inviolability  of  those 
lovely  blue  waters  Persia  would  maintain  with  her  best  blood. 
Crimson  was  to  be  the  fearful  price  of  blue. 

Glittering  like  a  bazubend  on  a  prince's  elbow,  suddenly  ap 
peared  the  far-off  spires  of  the  Cathedral  of  Echmiadzin.  The 
glorious  sunburst  had  reached  the  famous  Armenian  monastery 
where  the  Patriarch  of  that  religion  resides  and  oft  officiates  in 
his  jewelled  robes  in  the  ancient  cathedral.  This  monastery 
and  church  and  grounds  are  surrounded  by  a  wall  thirty  feet 
high,  with  loop-holes  and  towers  at  the  angles.  The  distance 
around  the  walls  is  a  mile  and  a  quarter.  Echmiadzin  is  the 
religious  centre  to  which  the  eyes  of  all  Armenians  turn.  It  is 
particularly  memorable  in  the  annals  of  the  Persian  and  Rus-- 
sian  war  of  1826-1828  as  having  given  the  name  to  a  bloody 
battle,  between  those  two  nations,  fought  near  it.  Echmiadzin 
was  itself  occupied  during  that  war  as  a  military  post,  and  was 
besieged  by  the  Persians  under  Abbas  Mirza.  As  the  country 
north  of  Ararat,  over  which  the  eyes  of  the  officer  were  looking, 
was  destined  to  figure  in  the  military  campaign  upon  which  he 
had  entered,  he  studied  Echmiadzin  and  its  surroundings  with 
intense  interest.  From  the  summit  of  Ararat  he  looked  di 
rectly  north  over  the  vast  plain  of  the  Araxes  to  the  walls  of 
the  famous  monastery  standing  up"on  that  plain.  To  the  north 
east  of  the  walled  monastery  lay  the  blue  Lake  of  Goktscha, 
surrounded  by  mountains,  and  to  the  west  of  the  monastery 
extended  a  chain  of  mountains  called  Saganlug,  with  the  river 
Abarane  sweeping  down  along  their  rocky  sides  and  emptying 
into  the  plain  of  the  Araxes.  Armenian  villages  were  scattered 
upon  this  plain  in  the  midst  of  groves  of  walnuts,  Italian  pop 
lars,  mulberries,  willows,  and  gloomy  oleasters.  Some  eighty 
miles  north  of  the  Lake  of  Goktscha  lay  Tiflis,  a  great  rendez 
vous  of  the  Russian  army,  and  situated  near  the  southern  slope 
of  the  Caucasus  mountains.  The  great  theatre  of  war  was  to 
be  located,  then,  between  Ararat  and  the  Saganlug  mountains 
on  the  south-west  and  the  Caucasus  mountains  on  the  north-east. 
Standing  upon  Ararat  and  looking  over  the  plain  of  the  Araxes 
towards  the  Caucasus  on  the  north-east,  the  commander  was 
facing  the  great  posts  of  the  Russian  army  from  which  the  Mus- 
,  covite  troops  would  be  hurled  down  upon  the  great  plain  of  the 
Araxes,  if  the  Persians  were  not  able  to  check  their  advance  at 
points  farther  north  in  the  mountains  by  pushing  on  over  the 
Araxes  and  meeting  them  in  the  mountain  roads  north  .and 
north-east  of  the  Lake  of  Goktscha. 


1 80  IREXE. 

While  from  this  awful  ice-clad  peak  the  commander  of  ten 
thousand  Persian  horse  eagerly  fixed  in  his  mind  the  map  of 
the  theatre  of  war,  the  Ghebre  had  finished  his  devotions  to 
Ormuzd,  and  approached  the  side  of  the  absorbed  officer. 

"  You  see  now,  Alfonso,  why  I  brought  you  up  to  this  glori 
ous  peak  of  Ararat.  Your  eye  is  the  eye  of  an  eagle.  You 
cannot  take  in  a  superhuman  range  of  objects,  but  you  can 
here  sketch  a  good  map  of  the  Araxes  basin,  and  the  moun 
tains  on  the  north  and  north-wesf,  with  the  rivers  and  roads 
which  lead  from  them.  Sketch  also  the  mountains  on  the 
north-east,  for  Russia  may  push  armies  down  upon  us  in  that 
direction  also.  Spread  your  cloak  upon  the  ice  and  let  us 
seat  ourselves.  While  you  draw  the  map,  I  will  give  you  the 
distances  from  point  to  point  from  memory,  will  show  you  the 
curves  of  the  roads  and  the  mountain  passes,  for  I  am  familiar 
with  this  country.  Abbas  Mirza  will  push  your  cavalry  ahead 
there  to  the  northward  in  advance  of  the  army.  .  You  can 
make  great  havoc  in  Georgia,  because  Russia  will  be  surprised 
and  will  not  be  ready  for  months  yet.  You  will  thus  also 
strengthen  the  hands  of  our  disaffected  people  there,  and  enable 
the  chiefs  to  rise  and  organize  against  Russia.  Unroll  the  pa 
pers  now,  and  let  us  make  an  excellent  map  for  your  use.  After 
wards  I  wish  you  to  make  a  fine  copy  of  it,  and  present  it  to 
our  Chief,  Abbas  Mirza.  He  will  be  amazed  at  your  skill  and 
energy,  will  appreciate  the  map,  and  you  will  rise  still  higher  in 
his  military  estimation." 

Alfonso  produced  the  materials  for  constructing  the  map, 
which  he  had  brought  on  his  back  up  the  difficult  ice-cap  of  the 
mountain.  Their  horses  were  secured  at  the  monastery  of  St. 
James,  on  the  wooded  slope  of  Ararat,  below  the  eternal  snow, 
and  were  in  charge  of  a  detachment  of  Persian  cavalry.  The 
two  friends  were  hours  at  their  work,  and  the  result  was  an  ad 
mirable  topographical  view  of  the  country  immediately  north, 
north-west  and  north-east  of  Ararat.  The  Ghebre,  as  usual,  knew 
everything  regarding  distances  on  Persian  soil.  When  their 
task  was  completed  they  regaled  themselves  upon  bread,  dates 
and  the  golden  wine  made  at  the  foot  of  Ararat,  and  which, 
tradition  has  it,  is  pressed  from  the  grapes  of  the  species  of 
vine  which  Noah  planted  there  after  leaving  the  Ark.  The 
cavalry  commander  was  not  exemplary  enough  Mohammedan 
to  refuse  that  luscious  wine  of  Ararat.  When  their  repast  was 
completed,  and  before  they  commenced  their  difficult  descent 


IRENE.  l8l 

of  the  icy  peak,  Zenayi  recalled  his  companion's  recollection  to 
the  historic  character  of  the  ground  just  below  Ararat. 

"  You  are  looking  down  upon  the  valley  of  the  Araxes,  upon 
whose  banks  Hannibal  sought  refuge,  after  having  paid  the  pen 
alty  of  his  superiority  on  the  plains  of  Italy.  Here,  too,  was  the 
ancient  Artaxata,  the  rich  and  mighty  capital  of  Armenia, 
where  the  Parthian  Tiridates  assumed  the  kingly  crown  which 
Rome  had  presented  to  him.  Here  he  sought  to  annihilate  the 
first  seeds  of  that  fruitful  religion,  Christianity.  And  marvel 
lous  transformation  was  that  of  the  persecutor.  Gregory, 
'  The  Enlightener]  before  his  death  instructed  him  in  the 
Christian  faith.  And  yonder  is  Echmiadzin,  the  ancient  epis 
copal  seat  of  the  Armenians.  How  persistently  has  Christian 
ity  maintained  a  habitation  there,  despite  uninterrupted  perse 
cution  and  unceasing  contests  between  Parthians,  Romans, 
Persians  and  Turks  for  the  possession  of  the  soil.  This  is 
memorable  battle-ground,  Alfonso.  See  to  it  that  your  sword 
reaps  a  harvest  worthy  of  the  crops  that  have  been  reaped  here 
before.  Experience  has  taught  me  that  war  is  to  be  depre 
cated.  But  the  passions  of  men  are  still  too  strong  for  their 
reason.  Negotiation,  compromise,  concession,  should  amicably 
settle  questions  that  destructive  war  will  not  adjust  in  years. 
But,  Alfonso,  as  long  as  war  is  the  fashion  of  nations,  I  must 
confess  that  I  relish  the  settlement  of  accounts  with  hateful 
Russia  by  the  sword.  But  we  are  not  prepared  for  this  war 
now.  Nevertheless,  do  not  allow  that  reflection  to  influence 
your  activity  and  energy  in  the  approaching  conflict.  For  we 
may  get  the  better  of  the  Muscovites.  But  look  where  I  point 
you  now,  and  do  not  forget  the  place  if  ever  you  see  or  hear  that 
the  Russians  will  attempt  to  march  by  that  road.  Aye  !  more. 
If  ever  .you  can  by  your  spies  or  by  your  stratagems  entice  the 
Muscovites  to  march  by  that  road,  seize  that  opportunity  and  al 
lure  them  that  way.  If  once  we  can  get  them  into  that  trap  they 
are  lost.  Now  mark  the  points  I  give  you." 

The  Ghebre  turned  the  attention  of  the  commander  to  the 
north  of  Ararat,  pointing  across  the  Araxes  directly  to  the  Ar 
menian  monastery  and  cathedral. 

"There  is  Echmiadzin  directly  north.  Continue  your  gaze 
right  on  over  the  cathedral  still  north.  There  lies  Tiflis. 
It  will  be  the  base  of  the  Russian  operations.  Their  army  will 
march  south,  some  day,  on  Echmiadzin.  They  cannot  come 
directly  to  tke  monastery  on  account  of  the  dividing  mountains. 
The  main  road  from  Tiflis  to  Echmiadzin  makes  a  great  curve 


1 82  IRENE. 

to  the  south-west  to  avoid  the  mountains  of  the  Sagan/ug,  and 
finally  reaches  the  monastery  from  the  west,  crossing  the 
Abarane  river  a  few  hours  before  doing  so.  It  is  a  short 
march  from  the  cathedral  to  the  Abarane  on  the  west.  Now 
mark  that  serrated  head  of  Alaghes,  that  lofty  peak,  just  north 
of  where  the  main  road  crosses  the  Abarane,  going  towards 
the  monastery.  At  the  foot  of  Alaghes  a  shorter  road,  but  a 
mountain  road,  comes  down  south  and  parallel  with  the  main 
road  but  farther  to  the  east,  follows  the  southern  flow  of  the 
Abarane,  and  is  close  beside  that  river.  Just  before  the  short 
road  coming  south  cuts  the  main  road  coming  east,  it  passes' 
through  a  rocky  gorge  close  beside  the  bank  of  the  Abarane. 
The  Russian  army  if  they  take  the  short  road  can  be  defeated 
in  that  gorge.  The  place  is  fearful.  Visit  it  if  you  ever  have 
a  chance  ;  keep  your  mind  upon  it  through  this  entire  war.  I  n 
the  fluctuations  of  the  campaign,  some  army  may  attempt  that 
passage.  It  is  safe  but  difficult,  if  not  contested  by  a  foe.  But 
woe  to  the  army  that  is  led  into  ambuscade  there" 

"And  what  is  the  fortress  I  see  a  few  miles  east  of  Ech 
miadzin  ?  "  inquired  Alfonso ;  "  there  appears  to  be  a  river  be 
tween  the  two." 

"  That  is  our  fortress  of  Erivan,  which  you  will  see  by  refer 
ring  again  to  our  map.  You  will  soon  familiarize  yourself  with 
these  points.  The  river  which  you  see  is  the  Zanga.  The 
Russians,  coming  down  from  the  north-west,  may  cross  that 
river  and  attack  Erivan,  if  they  are  successful  farther  up  in  the 
north-west.  Now  look  away  here,  to  the  north-east,  over  the 
basin  of  the  Araxes.  In  this  direction  the  Araxes  flows  away 
to  the  Caspian  Sea,  constantly  widening  and  deepening.  When 
you  were  looking  to  the  north-west  at  Echmiadzin,  and  the 
dangerous  pass  on  the  Abarane  rirer,  you  were  facing  the  moun 
tains  of  the  Saganlug  chain,  that  furnish  the  head  waters  of  the 
Araxes.  Now  in  the  north-east  you  are  facing  the  Caucasus 
mountains,  whose  southerly  slopes  contribute  small  streams  to 
the  Araxes,  before  it  falls  into  the  Caspian  Sea,  away  there  to 
the  east  On  these  slopes  you  will  also  have  work  for  your 
cavalry.  For  the  foe  will  advance  upon  us  from  the  north 
east  also,  seeking  to  cross  the  Araxes  near  the  Caspian  Sea, 
and  lay  siege  to  Ardebil,  and  our  -other  fortresses  toward  that 
sea."  ' 

At  length  the  Ghebre  succeeded  in  making  his  thoughtful 
companion  comprehend  the  theatre  of  war,  as  seen  from  Ararat, 
and  by  frequent  reference  to  the  map  he  had  drawn  under 


IRENE.  1 83 

Zenayi's  instnictions,  Alfonso  possessed  an  admirable  prelimi 
nary  and  general  view  of  the  military  position.  Time  and 
familiarity  with  the  roads  would  make  him  a  more  perfect  mas 
ter  of  details,  during  the  progress  of  the  campaign. 

As  they  took  their  parting  view  of  that  matchless  pano 
rama,  seen  from  that  icy  peak  by  so  few  human  eyes  within  the 
century,  the  commander,  ever  observant,  pointed  out  to  Ze- 
nayi  a  black  speck  upon  the  face  of  a  white  cloud  above 
Ararat.  The  Ghebre  failed  to  see  it  for  a  time.  But  as  the 
speck  grew  larger  as  it  lowered  in  the  sky,  his  eye  caught  it, 
and  he  inquired  : 

"  Is  it  Boshran  ?  " 

"  Yes,  that  strange  bird  never  loses  sight  of  me  now,"  re 
plied  the  officer.  "  I  saw  him  hovering  high  above  us  as  we 
rode  up  to  the  monastery  of  St.  James.  He  will  be  just  over 
my  head  before  we  are  half  way  down  the  mountain. 

"  He  is  not  unfamiliar  with  snow,"  said  Zenayi.  "  I  have 
seen  them  flying  high  above  Cotopaxi  when  that  volcano  was 
robed  in  snow." 

"  You  have  been  a  famous  traveller,  Zenayi,"  said  his  com 
panion. 

"Aye,  and  hunter,  too,"  was  the  response.  "The  Stut  Ozel 
of  the  woods  of  Germany  has  spread  his  dusky  wings  before 
me  in  the  chase,  as  surely  as  before  the  rush  of  the  wild  hunts 
man.  Not  very  surely,  then,  you  think,  eh  ?  Well,  I  have  shot 
chiguires  at  the  mouth  of  the  Cano  de  la  Tigrera,  just  to  fling 
to  the  Zamuro  vultures,  and  watch  how  much  like  men  the 
ravenous  creatures  grasp  their  prey.  I  have  travelled  far,  and 
witnessed  strange  sights,  Alfonso.  Few  men  have  been  greater 
wanderers.  I  have  seen  on  the  Apure  little  white  herons  walk 
ing  along  the  backs  of  crocodiles,  and  I  have  seen  Persian 
kings  and  warriors  almost  trodden  upon  by  the  dainty  feet  of 
favorite  girls.  Ha !  ha  !  what  a  world  of  contradictions  and  ab 
surdities  is  this.  We  write  flaming  panegyrics  upon  great  men, 
and  yet  they  all  possess  some  littleness  that  dwarfs  our  demi 
gods.  All,  all  have  made  some  egregious  mistakes.  Even  our 
splendid  Abbas  Mirza  has  made  a  war  now,  which  is  not  dic 
tated  by  the  highest  wisdom.  Listen  to  me,  Alfonso,  for  in 
you  centre  some  of  my  most  precious  hopes  for  the  future. 
Pertinaciously  adhere  on  all  occasions. to  the  dictates  of  mod 
eration  and  prudence.  In  the  long  run  they  confer  upon  na 
tions  the  permanent  benefits.  The  ignis  fatttus  ot  error  has 
led  off  our  brave  crown  prince  this  time.  Ormuzd  grant  his 


1 84  IRENE. 

temerity  do  not  prove  fatal  to  Persia,  Come,  let  us  descend. 
We  have  little  enough  time  to  return  to  the  camp,  and  I  wish 
to  diverge  from  the  road  a  little  after  we  pass  St.  James. 
There  is  an  object  I  will  point  out  to  you  on  the  way  down, 
which  may  be  of  great  service  to  you  hereafter,  if  any  accident 
should  happen  to  me  during  the  war.  It  is  a  landmark  I  would 
have  you  remember,  as  a  guide  to  you  in  the  future." 

"Is  it  of  military  importance,  Zenayi?"  inquired  the  com 
mander,  as  the  two  resumed  their  travelling  packs,  and  grasped 
their  steel-pointed  staffs  preparatory  to  the  icy  descent. 

"  No,  Alfonso.  But  for  you  it  may  prove  some  day  to  be  of 
vital  importance  to  your  fate." 

"  Does  it  relate  to  one  of  the  three  great  secrets,  Zenayi  ?  is 
it  one  of  the  remaining  two  you  have  not  revealed  to  me  yet  ?" 

"  How  quick  you  are,  Alfqpso,  to  surmise  my  thoughts,"  re 
plied  the  Ghebre.  "  It  does  relate  to  one  of  the  three  secrets, 
and  to  the  one  which  I  deem  the  greatest  of  the  three.  I  may 
never  reveal  this  one  to  you ;  but  something  may  prevent  my 
ever  returning  to  this  mountain.  If  then  I  exhibit  to  you  the 
landmark  now,  you  will  be  able  to  find  the  secret  hereafter  if 
I  should  deem  it  expedient  to  reveal  it  to  you  before  my  death. 
Beware  the  edge  of  that  icy  ledge  when  we  pass  it  again,  and 
fix  your  steel  firmly  in  the  ice.  Come  on,  now." 

Thus  cautioned,  Alfonso  followed  his  guide  down  the  slip 
pery  side  of  Ararat,  taking  the  same  circuitous  route  by  which 
they  had  ascended  the  iey  peak.  After  a  tedious  descent  of 
several  hours  they  reached  the  monastery  of  St  James,  where 
their  horses  and  escort  awaited  them.  Resuming  at  this  point 
of  the  descent  the  command  of  his  detachment  of  cavalry, 
Alfonso  led  the  way  on  Al-Borak,  down  the  rocky  path. 
Reaching  at  length  the  Armenian  village  of  Arguri,  the  only  one 
upon  Mount  Ararat,  and  having  about  one  hundred  and  sev 
enty-five  families  in  all,  they  halted  at  the  rivulet,  which  has  its 
source  in  one  of  the  glaciers  of  the  mountain,  for  the  purpose 
of  watering  their  horses.  Leaving  this  settlement  and  diverg 
ing  to  the  right,  the  Ghebre  led  the  cavalcade  a  half  of  a  mile 
out  of  the  path,  and  over  the  rocks,  until  they  reached  a  huge 
boulder  of  dark  porphyry,  resting  upon  smaller  blocks  of  the 
same  volcanic  material.  The  Ghebre  pointed  out  to  the  com 
mander  this  misshapen  mass  of  rock,  and  bade  him  remember 
its  appearance  and  location  during  all  time.  They  then  re 
sumed  the  descent  of  Ararat. 


IRENE.  185 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

|N  the  month  of  September,  1826,  on  the  southern  decliv 
ity  of  the  Caucasus,  a  Circassian  scout  was  posted  on 
the  rocks  overhanging  a  defile.  The  position  was  ad 
mirable,  commanding  a  wide  extent  of  the  Georgian 
territory  between  the  mountains  and  the  Koor  river.  The  watch 
ful  soldier  was  one  of  a  company  of  Circassian  light  cavalry  in  the 
service  of  Russia.  His  glistening  steel  armlets,  from  wrist  to  el 
bow,  wee  polished  to  marvellous  brilliancy,  and  the  steel  rings  of 
his  coat  of  mail  seemed  to  undulate  upon  him  like  soft  silk  at  every 
movement.  His  helmet  was  pointed  like  a  spear-head  at  the 
top,  and  from  it  a  veil  of  mail  fell  backwards,  protecting  his 
shoulders  and  the  back  of  his  neck.  There  were  divisions 
for  cartridges  sewed  upon  each  of  his  breasts,  while  a  sabre 
swung  from  his  belt,  in  which  were  thrust  his  pistols  and  dag 
ger.  He  was  armed,  also,  with  a  bow,  and  a  quiver  was  se 
cured  at  his  left  side.  The  bow  and  arrows  are  used  to  pick 
off  the  enemy's  sentinels  without  giving  the  alarm  to  the  main 
body.  His  boots  were  of  soft  morocco,  laced  up  at  the  sides 
with  silver  cord.  There  was  a  light,  airy  effect  in  his  costume 
and  movements,  suitable  for  the  swift  partisan  warfare  in  which 
he  was  engaged.  The  Persian  and  Russian  cavalry  were  mak 
ing  daily  raids  upon  the  neighboring  settlements,  and  upon 
each  other's  outposts,  and  constant  vigilance  and  rapidity  of 
movement  were  demanded.  The  quick  advance  or  the  sudden 
flight  were  daily  experiences  to  this  young  Circassian.  His 
raven-colored  steed  was  hidden  in  the  shadow  of  a  huge  rock 
behind  him. 

Occasionally  the  scout  looked  down  upon  the  magnificent 
valleys  below  him,  with  their  groves  of  palm,  fig  and  pome 
granate  trees,  and  their  mountain  streams  fertilizing  and  tortu 
ous,  with  appreciative  eyes.  But  constant  espionage  was 
demanded  of  him  upon  the  rocky  defile  over  which  he  was 
perched,  and  upon  a  similar  defile,  parallel  with  the  first  but 
lower  down  the  slope  of  the  Caucasus.  He  could  see  far 
away  to  the  southward  a  point  where  the  road  forked,  one  road 
entering  his  defile,  and  the  other  the  defile  parallel  with  it.  He 
had  been  intrusted  with  two  flags,  one  yellow  and  the  other 
red,  which  lay  upon  the  rock  beside  him.  His  instructions 
were  to  keep  a  sharp  lookout  upon  the  fork  of  the  road  where 


1 86  IRENE. 

a  body  of  Persian  cavalry  were  expected  to  make  their  appear 
ance  on  their  way  to  invade  the  Russian  territory.  If  the 
Persian  horse  entered  the  defile  upon  whose  summit  he  was 
posted,  he  was  ordered  to  raise  the  red  flag,  which  could  be 
seen  by  the  Russian  general  at  his  camp  some  distance  to  the 
northward.  The  Russian  commander  would  thus  be  enabled 
to  post  his  artillery  in  a  position  to  annihilate  the  advancing 
cavalry  before  they  were  aware  of  the  trap  set  for  them.  If 
the  Persians  entered  the  lower  defile,  the  scout  was  to  raise  the 
yellow  flag,  and  a  different  disposition  of  the  Russian  batteries 
would  be  made  to  surprise  them. 

After  a  long  vigil  in  the  warmth  of  the  mid-day  sun,  the 
eyes  of  the  scout  were  rewarded  by  seeing  in  the  distance  a 
body  of  two  hundred  Persian  cavalry  approaching  the  fork  of 
the  road.  He  was  evidently  familiar  with  the  appearance 
of  that  portion  of  the  regular  Persian  cavalry  which  were 
causing  the  greatest  havoc  in  this  campaign,  for  he  said  aloud  : 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  the  regulars  of  General  Alfonso  Debaena.  How 
fortunate  Abbas  Mirza  has  sent  them.  The  flower  of  the  Per 
sian  horse  will  give  a  strange  report  at  headquarters  to-mor 
row." 

As  the  scout  watched  their  advent,  he  appeared  to  be  thrilled 
with  exultation.  There  could  be  no  further  question  of  the 
division  of  the  army  to  which  they  belonged.  Their  uniform, 
their  style  betrayed  their  commander-in-chief.  The  two  hun 
dred  reached  the  fork  of  the  road  and  immediately  advanced 
upon  the  upper  defile.  The  red  flag  waved  the  signal  to  the 
distant  Russian  general,  and  immediately  an  answering  red  llag 
was  raised  to  signify  that  Russia  was  on  the  alert,  and  would  be 
ready  for  the  foe.  Then  ensued  a  remarkable  manifestation 
of  anxiety  and  subsequent  joy  on  the  part  of  the  Circassian 
scout.  Without  appearing  to  take  any  interest  in  the  further 
movement  of  the  two  hundred  horse  which  were  on  the  point 
of  entering  the  upper  defile,  he  looked  away  down  the  distant 
road  as  if  in  eager  expectation  of  a  further  arrival.  They  came 
at  length,  as  he  had  anticipated,  another  body  of  horse  full 
fire  tlwusand  s/rong,  and  wearing  the  same  uniform  as  the  two 
hundred  who  had  preceded  them.  Arriving  at  the  fork  of  the 
road,  they  moved  directly  on  to  the  lower  defile,  entered  it  at  a 
rapid  trot,  and  disappeared  from  the  sight  of  the  scout.  The 
Circassian  made  no  movement  to  raise  the  yellow  flag,  but  left 
the  Russian  forces  to  their  error  caused  by  the  elevation  of  the 
red  flag.  The  Russian  commander  would  concentrate  his  mil- 


IRENE.  IS/ 

itary  energies  upon  the  destruction  of  the  two  hundred,  while 
the  fire  thousand  would  pass  unharmed  and  unnoticed  by 
another  route.  The  scout  did  more  than  neglect  his  duty.  He 
fell  upon  his  knees,  and  trembling  with  joy  and  excitement, 
exclaimed  in  the  fulness  of  his  heart,  "  Great  Allah !  I  thank 
thee,  oh  !  how  fervently  I  thank  thee,  that  I  have  struck  so 
deadly  a  blow  into  the  bosom  of  detestable  Russia." 

Then  rising  to  his  feet,  and  securing  the  two  flags,  he 
mounted  his  steed  and  sought  the  Russian  lines  over  a  circui 
tous  mountain  road.  He  had  flung  open  wide  the  Russian 
gates  for  a  disastrous  Persian  inroad.  While  this  traitor  to  the 
Russian  cause  was  flying  away  to  the  lines  of  the  army  he  had 
betrayed,  secure  from  arrest  from  the  fact  that  the  two  hundred 
horse  which  were  expected  would  be  found  in  the  upper  defile 
as  he  had  signalled,  the  five  thousand  horse,  under  the  com 
mand  of  General  Alfonso  Debaena,  were  advancing  rapidly 
through  the  lower  defile,  and  approaching  by  a  circuitous  route 
the  rear  of  the  Russian  camp.  The  two  hundred  horse,  acting 
in  concert  with  Debaena' s  command,  were  advancing  through 
the  upper  defile  slowly  and  cautiously,  having  received  orders 
to  retreat  upon  the  first  indication  of  an  enemy,  and  if  possible 
draw  off  a  portion  of  the  Russian  cavalry  in  pursuit,  which  por 
tion  would  inevitably  fall  into  an  ambuscade  prepared  for  them 
by  the  remainder  of  General  Debaena' s  horsemen,  who  had 
been  left  behind.  The  Circassian  scout  was  a  confederate  of 
Abbas  Mirza,  who  had  instructed  General  Debaena  how  to 
take  advantage  of  the  information  sent  by  the  friendly  scout. 
So  perfectly  familiar  was  this  Circassian  with  the  details  of  the 
upper  defile,  that  he  had  sent  to  the  adjutant-general  of  Abbas 
Mirza  a  drawing  of  it,  marking  the  spot  where  the  artillery  of 
Russia  would  inevitably  be  posted  to  sweep  away  the  two  hun 
dred  Persian  horse.  A  small  ravine  connecting  the  two  defiles 
was  also  indicated,  by  which  a  portion  of  the  cavalry .  in  the 
lower  defile  could  penetrate  to  the  rear  of  the  Russian  battery 
and  capture  the  guns,  which  might  then  be  turned  upon  the 
Russian  camp. 

General  Debaena  had  with  him  in  the  lower  defile  two  pieces 
of  light  artillery,  with  which  he  proposed  to  entice  a  portion  of  the 
Russians  from  their  entrenched  camp  when  he  should  have  gained 
their  rear.  Swiftly  and  unnoticed  his  immediate  force  made  its 
way  through  the  lower  defile,  and  gained  the  woods  about  two 
miles  in  rear  of  the  enemy's  camp.  Not  dreaming  that  so  large 
a  body  of  Persian  cavalry  had  been  concentrated  upon  the  Koor 


1 88  IREM-.. 

river  so  early  in  the  campaign,  the  Russian  commander  antici 
pated  no  attack,  and  was  merely  calculating  upon  entrapping 
a  small  detachment  of  horse  that  were  out  marauding.  His 
favorite  and  active  scout  had  brought  him  intelligence  from 
Kli/abethpol  that  about  two  hundral  of  the  enemy's  cavalry 
were  advancing.  His  plan  was  laid  to  entrap  them,  and  his 
guns  were  admiral >ly  placed.  Presently  his  ears  were  greeted 
by  the  discharge  of  his  artillery,  and,  after  an  ominous  cessa 
tion  of  the  reports,  word  was  brought  him  that  the  enemy's 
cavalry  had  fled  at  the  first  discharge,  having  discovered  the 
artillerymen  before  they  were  fairly  in  the  trap.  An  angle  in 
the  defile  had  prevented  the  effective  discharge  of  the  guns. 
He  immediately  dispatched  cavalry  in  pursuit,  and  ordered  one 
of  his  aids  to  bring  back  the  artillery  to  camp.  What  was  his 
amazement  to  discover  that  his  aid  did  not  return  in  due  time. 
He  dispatched  another  aid  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  the  delay. 
Presently  this  second  messenger  returned  at  full  speed,  with  the 
appalling  intelligence  that  his  artillery  had  been  captured  by  a 
small  body  of  Persian  horse.  The  guns  were  now  posted  at 
the  summit  of  the  defile,  a  few  rods  from  their  former  position, 
and  were  pointed  in  the  direction  of  his  camp.  They  could 
only  be  retaken  by  infantry.  He  immediately  ordered  a 
chef-de-bataillon  to  advance  with  800  infantry  and  capture  the 
guns,  moving  cautiously,  however,  as  it  was  evident  there  were 
more  Persian  cavalry  stirring  than  he  had  been  notified  of. 

It  was  not  long  after  this  body  of  infantry  had  vanished  from 
his  sight,  before  the  thunder  of  the  artillery  and  the  rattle  of 
musketry  announced  that  the  cavalry  would  not  give  up  the 
guns  without  a  struggle.  Scarcely  had  this  contest  fairly  com 
menced,  when  the  Russian  commander  found  his  entrenched 
camp  attacked  from  the  rear  by  two  pieces  of  light  artillery, 
which  advanced  from  the  woods  and  took  position  upon  a 
knoll.  The  pieces  were  well  served,  and  for  a  few  moments 
inflicted  severe  loss  upon  the  infantry,  who  were  totally  unpre 
pared  for  this  sudden  firing  into  their  camp.  The  Russian 
artillery,  however,  soon  compelled  the  Persians  to  retreat  with 
their  guns  towards  the  wood,  into  whose  shadows  they  disap 
peared,  leaving  several  dead  upon  the  open  field.  Confident 
now  of  capturing  the  two  pieces  of  light  artillery,  Russian  in 
fantry  were  pushed  across  the  open  field,  but  were  met  half 
way  by  squadrons  of  Persian  horse,  which  charged  furiously 
upon  them  from  two  roads  leading  Dut  from  the  forest.  A 
terrific  struggle  ensued  ;  many  a  wild  horse  of  the  Persian 


IRENE  189 

mountains  died  upon  the  Russian  bayonets,  his  rider  falling 
headlong  to  the  earth.  The  clash  of  the  sabre  and  bayonet  was 
terrific  as  the  Persian  horse  plunged  frantically  through  the 
stubborn  masses  of  the  foe,  but  the  wild  riders  of  the  moun 
tains  were  invincible,  and  trampling  under  foot  the  infantry, 
they  dashed  on  to  the  artillery  which  was  being  hurried  up  in 
the  rear,  and  sabred  the  artillerymen  at  their  guns.  Fresh 
bodies  of  infantry  were  advancing  to  the  field,  but  the  Persian 
cavalry,  augmented  every  instant  by  fresh  squadrons  of  horse 
emerging  from  distant  parts  of  the  forest,  charged  like  demons 
upon  them,  unheeding  the  cannon  shot  which  played  upon  them 
from  the  intrenchments.  The  Persians  in  numbers  far  exceeded 
the  Russians,  weakened  as  the  latter  were  by  the  absence  of 
their  cavalry  and  the  800  infantry  sent  away  in  the  opposite 
direction  towards  the  upper  defile.  The  horsemen  of  Iran, 
under  the  leadership  of  the  skilful  Debaena,  swept  onward  in 
frantic  and  bloody  charges,  tearing  and  scattering  the  ranks  of 
the  Muscovites,  and  covering  the  field  with  heaps  of  the  dead 
and  the  dying.  Onward,  right  onward,  they  poured  like  their 
own  mountain  torrents,  till  every  opposing  square  was  rent  and 
the  fugitives  were  streaming  off  over  the  plain.  Few  escaped 
that  fearful  massacre,  and  the  pursuers  only  drew  rein  when 
the  grapeshot  from  the  fort  commenced  to  play  into  their 
squadrons.  As  they  were  about  to  withdraw  from  their  ex 
posed  situation,  General  Debaena,  with  the  light  of  battle  in 
his  eye  and  a  figure  towering  above  his  fellows,  dashed  out  to 
the  front  of  the  advanced  squadrons,  shouting,  "  They  are 
weakened  beyond  redemption.  Charge  into  the  fort."  He 
rode  straight  up  the  rising  ground,  followed  by  squadron  after 
squadron,  for  his  voice  and  manner  were  electric.  He  leaped 
the  dry  ditch  amid  a  shower  of  grape  and  bullets.  Many 
horsemen  also  cleared  it  in  safety,  and  the  others  crossed  upon 
the  dead  bodies  of  their  comrades  who  soon  filled  it  up.  Like 
a  whirlwind  the  Persian  horse  swept  through  the  blaze  of  the 
guns,  and  the  charge  was  successful.  The  Russian  commander 
surrendered  to  Alfonso  Debaena  his  sword  and  the  small  force 
he  had  retained  within  the  intrenchments.  He  had  been 
utterly  surprised  by  numbers,  and  his  forces  were  divided. 

The  contest  was  still  raging  in  the  distance,  where  the  Per 
sians  were  maintaining  an  obstinate  defence  of  their  strong 
position  with  the  captured  artillery.  General  Debaena  pushed 
on  to  their  assistance  with  his  victorious  cavalry  and  attacked  the 
Russian  infantry  in  the  rear.  Taken  by  surprise,  they  were  cut 


IRENE. 

down  or  scattered  into  the  woods  on  either  hand,  and  soon 
gave  up  their  anus.  The  heroic  band  that  defended  the  rocky 
height  with  the  artillery  were  fearfully  decimated  and  could  not 
have  held  their  position  a  half  hour  longer. 

As  General  Debaena  had  anticipated,  the  Russian  cavalry 
sent  in  pursuit  of  the  two  hundred  Persians  who  had  lied 
through  the  upper  defile,  followed  on  so  far  beyond  the  fork  of 
the  road  that  they  fell  into  his  cavalry  ambuscade,  and  wore 
surrounded  and  cut  down  by  the  Persian  horse  which  were  the 
remainder  of  his  command  of  ten  thousand.  When  night  set 
in  the  Persian  commander  knew  that  his  victory  was  decisive, 
and  that  the  survivors  of  the  Russian  force  were  all  his  pris 
oners.  He  sent  back  on  the  following  day  to  Abbas  Mirza 
beyond  Elizabethpol  his  report  of  the  battle,  together  with  the 
captured  cannon,  guns,  military  stores  and  all  the  prisoners. 
Providing  for  the  wounded  as  best  he  could,  he  remained  upon 
the  field  awaiting  further  orders  and  the  arrival  of  the  army 
surgeons.  With  promptness  Abbas  Mirza  responded  to  his 
demands  and  sent  him  the  brief  order  : 

"  Push  on  rapidly  into  the  enemy's  country  and  carry  terror 
to  the  foe  by  the  celerity  of  your  movements.  Issue  manifes 
toes  as  you  advance  to  our  delivered  friends,  calling  upon  them 
to  take  up  arms  in  the  name  of  Mahomet  and  in  defence  of 
their  religion.  The  eyes  of  all  Persia  are  upon  you.  The 
splendor  of  the  manhood  with  which  you  opposed  me  in  the 
council  of  the  Shah  is  only  equalled  by  the  splendor  of  your 
military  genius.  Push  on." 

With  alacrity  the  commander  of  horse  obeyed  this  injunction 
of  his  chief,  whose  military  abilities  he  had  learned  to  respect 
from  the  day  he  assumed  command  of  the  army  of  invasion. 
As  he  advanced,  the  Russians  at  the  posts  on  the  frontiers  foil 
back,  being  too  weak  to  withstand  him.  Great  quantities 
of  military  stores,  cannon  and  horses  fell  into  his  hands,  and  his 
name  became  the  terror  of  Georgia.  The  tramp  of  his  steeds 
was  heard  in  every  town  and  hamlet,  and  thousands  of  the 
oppressed  Mohammedans  arose  in  arms  behind  the  glitter  of 
his  sabres. 

Having  driven  the  scattered  detachments  of  the  enemy 
(which  were  totally  unprepared  for  this. sudden  invasion)  before 
him  to  Tillis,  where  General  Yermoloff,  the  Russian  com 
mander,  was  endeayoring  to  concentrate  his  troops,  the  vic 
torious  Debaena  received  orders  to  march  his  cavalry  across 
the  country  to  the  west, -and  pursue  a  similar  career  of  con- 


IRENE.  191 

quest  in  that  section  of  the  country  beyond  the  Lake  of 
Goktscha.  This  new  field  of  operations  gave  him  an  opportu 
nity  to  become  personally  familiar  with  the  roads  described  to 
him  by  the  Ghebre  on  the  summit  of  Ararat,  and  particularly  with 
the  one  leading  through  the  dangerous  rocky  pass  beside  the  river 
Abarane  and  near  to  the  mountains  of  the  Saganlug  chain. 
After  inspecting  the  fortress  of  Erivan  he  passed  on  west  toward 
Echmiadzin  and  dividing  his  cavalry  into  two  parties  near  this 
monastery,  sent  one  off  toward  Tiflis  by  the  north-western 
road.  The  other  he  led  in  person  north  toward  the  same 
Russian  headquarters  by  the  difficult  road  up  the  Abarane  river. 
Then  did  he  realize  the  force  of  the  Ghebre' s  suggestion,  that 
upon  the  rocky  banks  of  the  Abarane  the  Russian  army  or  a 
portion  of  it  should  be  entrapped  if  possible. 

So  vividly  did  the  image  of  the  astute  Zenayi  rise  before  him 
as  he  traversed  this  rocky  pass,  that  he  whispered  to  himself: 
"  How  that  patriot  priest  watches  over  Persia  !  This  is  indeed 
a  trap  for  the  enemies  of  the  Shah.  How  shall  it  be  arranged 
with  our  spies  in  the  Russian  camp  ?  They  must  be  wntten  to 
at  once  to  bear  this  pass  in  mind  during  the  whole  war.  I  have 
it.  Irene  !  Of  all  our  secret  agents,  that  patriot  loveliness  is 
the  only  competent  spy  at  Tiflis  to  arrange  this  snare." 

After  mature  reflection  as  he  rode  on  northward  through  the 
pass  he  determined  to  write  to  the  beautiful  schemer  himself. 
Irene  would  redouble  her  activity  in  the  secret  service  if  she 
knew  that  he  was  personally  anxious  in  any  particular  scheme. 
The  Ghebre  had  informed  him  of  this  partiality  of  the  girl  for 
his  military  opinions.  He  had  also  given  to  the  commander 
of  horse  the  secret  cypher  arranged  at  the  headquarters  of  the 
Persian  army,  by  means  of  which  he  could  write  with  safety  to 
any  of  the  secret  agents  at  the  northward. 

At  his  first  encampment,  therefore,  on  the  slope  of  the  Sag 
anlug  mountains,  he  addressed  a  letter  in  cypher  to  Irene, 
known  in  the  secret  service  of  Persia  by  the  title  "'Coadjutor" 
He  could  not  omit  writing  to  her  also  concerning  her  personal 
safety.  He  cautioned  her  in  terms  of  earnest  entreaty  to  value 
her  own  life  in  the  enemy's  camp  as  he  valued  it,  and  as  the 
Ghebre  and  the  adjutant  general  of  the  army  valued  it,  and 
notifying  her  that  he  had  heard  she  was  too  reckless  in  the 
audacity  with  which  she  penetrated  to  the  highest  councils  of 
the  Russian  army.  He  requested  her  to  commune  freely  with 
the  Circassian  scout  when  opportunity  offered,  and  make  this 
fearless  friend  of  Persia  an  accomplice  in  the  plan  to  entrap 


192  IRENE. 

the  Russians  some  day  in  the  rocky  pass  of  the  Abarane  river. 
He  desired  her  to  return  his  earnest  thanks  to  the  scout  whose 
skilful  management  at  the  defiles  beyond  Elizabethpol  had 
given  success  to  his  arms,  and  secured  him  the  especial  com 
mendation  of  Abbas  Mirza  in  the  official  report  of  the  battle 
forwarded  by  a  horseman  to  Teheran. 

"  I  deprecated  your  dangerous  mission,"  he  wrote,  "  as  you 
well  know.  At  the  same  time  I  must  confess  that  I  expe 
rienced  exultation  at  the  thought  that  your  transccndant 
powers  of  intrigue  and  diplomacy  were  secured  for  Persia. 
I  know  that  the  same  prompt  and  active  display  of  intellectual 
resources  that  you  have  ever  manifested  will  continue,  even 
when  you  daily  move  with  a  Russian  halter  about  your  neck. 
But  in  the  name  of  Persia,  in  the  name  of  all  that  is  tender  in 
friendship,  in  my  name,  spare  yourself  any  unnecessary  hazard. 
You  are  the  soul  of  audacity,  but  remember  that  your  innate 
elegance  and  the  stamp  of  high  birth  that  is  unmistakably 
yours,  may  cause  you  to  be  suspected  by  the  officers  of  a  hard, 
harsh  nationality.  I  know  that  you  appear  as  a  Georgian 
nurse  in  the  hospitals,  but  I  warn  you  to  curb  your  wit,  your 
satire  and  your  brilliancy,  or  they  will  betray  you  to  death. 
But  whatever  befalls  you  rest  assured  I  trust  you  utterly, 
and  whenever  you  write  me  that  your  judgment  demands  of 
me  to  place  my  cavalry  in  any  strategic  position,  or  myself  in 
any  personal  hazard,  1  will  obey  you.  Can  trust  in  a  woman's 
tact,  talent  and  patriotism  go  farther  than  my  promise?  I 
have  told  you  before  that  you  are  an  eagle  among  butterflies. 
I  make  this  strong  promise  to  you  now,  that  you  may  under 
stand  how  perfectly  your  noble  sacrifice  is  appreciated  by  Ze- 
nayi  and  by  me.  There  is  something  so  heroic  in  your  love  for 
your  country  that  it  is  contagious.  It  arouses  in  me  a  holy 
zeal  to  be  worthy  of  your  friendship,  to  equal  you  in  great 
thoughts  and  sacrifices  for  that  which  is  grand. 

"  The  commander  is  emulous  of  the  greatness  of  the  girl. 
There  are  moments  when  I  believe  firmly  that  my  towering 
ambition  melts  away  in  the  desire  to  be  unselfishly  sublime" 


IRENE.  193 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

1EWARE  the  immense  cloud  of  the  Cossacks !  Yer- 
moloff  has  concentrated  twenty  thousand  of  them  in 
the  rear  of  General  Madatov.  Make  no  stand  north 
of  the  Araxes  unless  you  can  effect  a  junction  with 
General  Debaena's  cavalry." 

These  words  were  read  aloud  to  Abbas  Mirza  and  the  adju 
tant-general  of  the  army,  as  they  reclined  in  a  tent  near  Eliza- 
bethpol.  The  cipher  of  the  secret  agent  was  interpreted  to  the 
commander  of  the  Persian  army  by  the  white-robed  Ghebre, 
who  added  to  the  warning  of  the  spy  his  own  urgent  counsel,  that 
the  army  should  retreat  towards  the  Araxes  until  reinforcements 
could  come  up.  Abbas  Mirza,  in  a  military  undress,  listened 
patiently  to  the  letter,  which  had  also  apprized  them  of  the  day 
General  Madatov  would  advance  updn  them  from  Tiflis.  At 
the  conclusion  of  Zenayi's  remarks  he  puffed  away  vigorously 
for  a  moment  at  his  Kaleoon  and  the  smoke  arose  in  clouds 
above  him,  circling  away  toward  the  top  of  the  tent.  Then 
the  Prince  Royal  calmly  opened  the  discussion  of  the  letter  thus, 
turning  slightly  as  he  addressed  the  adjutant-general. 

"  Who  is  your  informant  ?  " 

"  She  is  known  to  your  royal  highness  by  the  name  of  '  Co 
adjutor]  "  responded  the  officer. 

"  That  is  a  woman  of  discretion,"  replied  the  Prince  Royal. 
"  If  I  mistake  not,  Zenayi,  she  is  the  same  who  gave  us  such 
reliable  information  of  the  movements  of  the  Russian  pulkoon- 
ick  and  his  light  horse." 

"  The  very  same,  your  Royal  Highness,"  responded  the  Ghe 
bre.  <:To  Coadjutor  are  we  indebted  for  the  utter  defeat  of  his 
four  thousand  horse." 

"You  know  the  woman,  personally,  Zenayi?"  inquired  the 
Prince. 

"  I  know  all  the  secret  agents  personally.  I  would  employ 
no  one  on  such  important  service  for  whose  skill  and  integrity 
I  could  not  personally  vouch.  Your  Royal  Highness  should 
know  me  well  enough  for  that,  after  all  my  years  of  service." 

"  I  intended  no  impeachment  of  your  sense,  noble  friend," 

replied  the  Prince,  amid  the  dense  clouds  of  smoke  which  were 

blending  together  from  his  own  Kaleoon  and  the  Turkish  nar- 

ghilles  of  his  two  companions.     "  We  are  too  much  indebted  to 

9 


194  IRENE. 

you  to  withhold  the  highest  encomiums  for  your  discretion  and 
forethought.  But  this  is  a  question  which  involves  the  safety 
of  an  entire  army.  Is  Coadjutor  ever  inclined  to  exaggerate 
numbers  ?  Twenty  thousand  Cossacks  are  a  great  number  to 
collect  upon  so  short  a  notice  as  Nicholas  has  had." 

"  I  will  pledge  my  word,  your  Royal  Highness,"  responded 
Zcnayi,  "that  when  the  cool  hand  of  Coadjutor  penned  the 
words,  twenty  thousand,  she  was  copying  from  Russian  official 
papers." 

"  Your  faith  in  her,  Zenayi,  is  only  equalled  by  your  estimate 
of  her  power  of  gaining  access  to  the  headquarters  of  Yer- 
moloff  himself." 

44  Coadjutor"  replied  the  Ghebre,  "  is  a  military  secretary  of 
Yermoloff." 

"  Impossible  !  "  ejaculated  the  chief  of  the  army ;  "  moreover 
you  notified  me  that  she  was  employed  by  the  Muscovites  as  a 
hospital  nurse." 

"  So  iva<  she,  your  Royal  Highness,  but  Coadjutor  has  the 
brilliancy  and  beauty  of  Statira.  If  Alexander  was  once  mag 
nanimous  on  the  banks  of  the  Issus,  why  may  not  beauty  again 
overpower  a  general  of  so  much  inferior  ability  as  the  Russian 
Yermoloff." 

"And  you  have  pushed  an  agent  into  the  Muscovite  service 
itself,  even  to  the  table  of  the  Russian  commander?"  ex 
claimed  Abbas  Mirza,  half  rising  from  his  cushion  and  eying 
the  Ghebre  in  amazement. 

"  And  how  would  Your  Royal  Highness  otherwise  defeat  the 
great  dominant  terror  of  the  North  ?  "  inquired  Zenayi.  "  U'o 
undertook  this  war  as  I  understand  it  to  defeat  the  Muscovites. 
Then  we  must  defeat  them  by  every  method  of  strategy  that 
occurs  to  us.  If  our  noble  people  are  ready  to  hazard  their 
necks  in  the  camps  of  the  foe  shall  we  not  accept  their  ser 
vices?  Coadjutor  has  exquisite  beauty,  tact,  perseverance  and 
zeal  for  our  cause.  Knowing  her  rare  gifts,  I  could  not  refuse 
her  offer  of  service.  She  is  naturally  enough  mistaken  for  a 
full-blooded  Georgian.  She  has  intrigued  her  way  from  the 
hospital  to  the  headquarters.  Yermoloff  hopes  to  make  her 
his  wife.  Step  by  step  she  has  won  his  respect  and  confidence. 
The  witchery  of  her  beauty  and  grace  have  not  enslaved  him 
half  as  much  as  her  abilities  and  conversational  brilliancy. 
She  writes  me  that  two  of  his  staff  officers  have  offered  her 
ro  irriage.  She  is  adroitly  keeping  them  in  suspense,  and  there 
by  gaining  military  favors  and  privileges  which  yield  her  val- 


IRENE.  195 

liable  information  for  our  headquarters.  As  you  trust  my 
judgment  trust  Coadjutor's,  or  rather,  I  would  say,  trust  im 
plicitly  the  truth  of  the  details  which  she  sends.  She  know* 
that  unless  Your  Royal  Highness  effects  a  junction  with  Gen 
eral  Debaena  your  army  will  be  overpowered.  She  tells  us  in 
this  letter  that  the  regular  army  of  General  Madatov  exceeds 
yours  in  numbers,  and  now  behind  him  Yermoloff  is  pushing 
ahead  to  the  front  twenty  thousand  Cossacks.  I  know  how 
those  wild  horsemen  can  travel.  Their  horses  are  small  but 
swift.  When  they  do  not  move  in  compact  bodies  and  carry 
little  or  no  baggage,  they  can  without  difficulty  advance  from 
fifty  to  seventy  miles  a  day  for  several  days  in  succession.  I 
apprehend  that  when  Your  Royal  Highness  is  actually  giving 
battle  to  Madatov  they  will  dash  in  upon  us  and  neutralize,  aye 
more,  destroy  utterly  your  most  skilful  combinations.  The 
army  here  may  by  superior  handling  and  by  choice  of  position 
defeat  Madatov,  whose  force  outnumbers  us.  But  the  Cossacks 
will  prove  too  much  for  the  small  cavalry  force  at  our  disposal. 
I  earnestly  counsel  Your  Royal  Highness  to  fall  back  behind 
the  Araxes  now  at  your  leisure  to  meet  our  new  army  from 
Sultania,  rather  than  to  await  the  time  when  we  shall  be  driven 
across  it  in  confusion.  The  Cossacks  are  fearful  upon  the 
flanks  of  a  retreating  army.  Their  lances  are  then  irresistible." 

Again  silence  ensued  and  the  smoke  of  the  caleeoon  indica 
ted  the  energetic  brain  that  was  working  behind  it.  Huge 
puffs  of  it  issued  rapidly.  Then  the  mouth-piece  was  with 
drawn  from  the  depths  of  the  heavy  black  imperial  beard,  and 
Abbas  Mirza  smiled  as  he  spoke  : 

"  Why,  Zenayi,  the  hearts  of  the  Persian  people  would  sink 
if  they  saw  us  retreat  from  the  first  opportunity  for  a  general 
battle." 

"  Hang  the  people  everywhere,"  interrupted  the  adjutant- 
general,  who  removed  from  his  mustaches  the  mouth-piece  of 
his  narghille  just  long  enough  to  utter  his  military  opinion  of 
the  sense  of  the  masses.  Zenayi  dropped  his  narghille  from 
his  lips  and  laughed  immoderately.  The  Prince  Royal  was 
soon  laughing  as  heartily  as  the  Ghebre.  The  adjutant-gen 
eral  only  smiled  grimly. 

"  Zenayi,"  exclaimed  Abbas  Mirza,  intensely  amused  at  the 
pithy  sentence  of  the  officer,  who  was  one  of  the  ablest  soldiers 
in  the  army  of  Persia,  "  this  council  of  war  is  manifestly  against 
me,  and  I  must  add  that  the  grand  title,  the  people,  is  greatly 
undervalued  here." 


196  IRENE. 

"  The  adjutant-general  is  right,"  exclaimed  the  Ghebre  firmly. 
"The  people,  the  wretched,  vacillating,  unreasoning,  treacherous, 
ungrateful  people  ;  always  persecuting  and  hating  those  who 
love  them  best ;  never  recognizing  the  noble,  fearless  defenders 
of  principle,  but  everlastingly  lauding  to  the  skies  the  men  who 
flitter  in  order  that  they  may  rob  them.  Tlie  people,  the  people  I 
oh  !  what  a  farce  are  the  opinions  of  the  people.  There  is  but 
one  way  to  deal  with  them,  and  that  is  to  treat  them  as  we 
treat  children.  Love  them,  work  for  their  best  interests,  but 
ignore  their  clamor  as  one  ignores  the  senseless  remonstrances 
of  children." 

"  And  how  about  the  opinions  of  the  soldiers,  Zenayi  ? " 
interposed  the  Prince  Royal. 

"The  soldiers  must  be  deceived,"  responded  the  Ghebre. 
"  Their  ardor  must  be  stimulated  by  the  report  that  some 
remarkable  strategic  snare  is  about  to  be  laid  for  the  foe. 
They  must  be  promised  an  extra  compensation  in  toumaitns 
for  the  silence  and  secrecy  with  which  they  withdraw  from  the 
line  of  the  enemy's  advance." 

"And  what  does  my  silent  adjutant-general  say  to  a  retreat 
behind  the  Araxes  ?  "  said  Abbas  Mirza,  after  a  long  interval  of 
silent  smoke. 

The  narghille  was  reluctantly  relinquished  for  an  instant  for 
the  utterance  of  the  sententious  advice  of  the  old  veteran. 

"  Order  it  to  commence  before  daylight." 

"To-morrow?' 

"  Ay." 

The  monosyllable  and  the  returning  mouth-piece  jostled  each 
other  in  passing. 

"I  thought  my  adjutant-general  was  anxious  to  smell  gun 
powder,"  continued  Abbas  Mirza. 

"  Too  great  odds,"  were  the  prompt  words  that  usurped  for 
an  instant  the  place  of  the  narghille. 

"You  have  not  forgotten  Mingrelia,  General  Hassam?" 

The  veteran  smiled  grimly.  In  the  war  of  1813,  he  had 
seen  two-thirds  of  his  command  swept  away  by  Russian  grape 
and  would  not  surrender  to  five  times  his  own  number.  He 
was  scarred  with  eleven  wounds,  all  from  grape  shot,  and  his 
last  act  before  he  fell  senseless  was  to  hurl  his  broken  sword 
into  the  face  of  a  Muscovite  officer  of  artillery,  a  pulkoonick. 

Abbas  Mir/.a  remained  long  after  this  reference  to  past 
heroism  in  silent  meditation.  His  companions  awaited  his 
decision  and  puffed  away  with  their  narghiltes.  Once  only 


IRENE.  197 

they  exchanged  glances,  when  after  an  ominous  silence  of  sev 
eral  minutes  their  chief  inquired  of  the  Ghebre  how  many  days 
it  would  take  General  Debaena's  cavalry  to  march  from  the 
lower  Abarane  to  Elizabethpol.  They  realized  then  how  firmly 
their  chief  was  bent  upon  offering  battle  in  his  present  position 
at  the  north.  Zenayi  gave  him  the  distances  by  the  different 
roads  to  the  camp  of  General  Debaena,  and  an  estimate  of  the 
time  in  which  Debaena  could  join  them  if  not  encountered  by 
the  enemy  on  his  way. 

After  another  prolonged  silence  the  chief  announced  that  he 
would  not  retreat,  but  would  await  the  advent  of  General  Mada- 
tov  and  give  him  battle.  Then  turning  to  his  adjutant-gen 
eral,  he  directed  him  to  summon  General  Debaena  from  the 
west  with  all  possible  dispatch  and  order  him  to  bring  with 
him  six  thousand  of  his  cavalry,  leaving  four  thousand  to  watch 
the  enemy  in  the  west  and  harass  their  advance  if  they  should 
make  a  forward  movement. 

Soon  after  this  indication  of  his  purpose  to  meet  the  foe  near 
Elizabethpol  the  conference  broke  up. 

In  the  middle  of  September  the  advance-guard  of  the  Per 
sians  was  encountered  by  General  Madatov,  who  attacked  a 
body  of  them  amounting  to  about  ten  thousand  men  under  the 
command  of  a  son  of  Abbas  Mirza.  After  a  severe  contest 
the  Persian  cavalry  took  to  flight,  and  the  infantry,  being  thus 
left  unsupported,  were  broken  by  the  regular  cavalry  of  the 
Russians,  and  after  a  desperate  conflict  completely  routed. 
The  Persians  lost  two  thousand  men  in  killed  and  wounded. 
Amur  Khan,  the  uncle  of  Abbas  Mirza,  was  killed  while  en 
deavoring  to  rally  his  troops.  The  young  prince,  son  of  Abbas 
Mirza,  was  taken  prisoner  by  a  Russian  horseman,  but  was  res 
cued  by  one  of  his  officers  and  escaped  from  the  field.  The 
Russians  promptly^advanced  after  this  disaster  and  took  posses 
sion  of  Elizabethpol  without  opposition.  Abbas  Mirza  having 
effected  a  junction  with  the  forces  of  Alaiar  Khan  advanced 
against  Madatov,  who  was  surprised  by  the  rapidity  of  his  adver 
sary  and  was  driven  from  the  field  with  heavy  loss.  As  the 
Persians  were  about  to  convert  his  defeat  into  a  route  the  Rus 
sian  commander  was  relieved  by  the  appearance  of  General 
Parkaewitch  with  his  forces,  who  immediately  charged  the  victors 
with  such  vehemence  that  the  tide  of  victory  was  turned.  An 
obstinate  contest,  lasting  through  the  entire  afternoon,  termin 
ated  with  the  fall  of  night,  the  Persian  army  being  driven  at 
all  points  a  mile  backward.  At  daybreak  the  battle  was  re- 


198  IRENE. 

newed,  both  armies  displaying  the  most  determined  courage 
and  every  inch  of  ground  being  fiercely  contested.  Abbas 
Mirza  commanded  in  person,  and  by  his  admirable  generalship 
twice  turned  the  Russian  left,  driving  it  back  in  confusion  upon 
the  centre.  The  artillery  of  the  Persians,  brought  to  the  high 
est  perfection  by  the  training  of  English  officers  from  India, 
inflicted  frightful  loss  upon  the  enemy.  But  the  stubborn 
heroism  of  the  Russian  infantry  prevailed  after  several  hours 
of  bloody  conflict,  and  by  noon  the  Persians  were  slowly  falling 
back  at  all  points.  Inch  by  inch  did  the  heroic  sons  of  Iran 
contest  the  ground,  winning  the  admiration  of  their  foes,  nu-n 
scarred  with  the  bullets  of  hard-fought  European  battles.  The 
Muscovites  pressed  forward  flushed  with  the  confidence  of  the 
coming  victory ;  but  their  exultation  was  of  brief  duration. 
Abbas  Mirza,  fruitful  in  devices,  had  planned  the  apparent 
retreat  of  his  men  to  entrap  the  Muscovites,  and  now  as  they 
fell  back  beyond  the  limit  of  a  dense  wood  the  Russians  dis 
covered  their  motive.  It  was  to  allow  their  concealed  cav 
alry,  the  goolams,  to  strike  the  Russian  flank.  The  first  aston 
ishment  -of  the  surprise,  the  unearthly  yells  and  the  furious 
onset  of  the  goolams  struck  dismay  and  disorder  into  the  Mus 
covite  ranks.  They  were  speedily  broken  and  scattered,  and 
those  who  escaped  with  their  lives  were  soon  huddled  in  con 
fusion  under  the  protecting  guns  of  the  Russian  batteries. 
Overwhelmed  with  the  confusion  of  the  field,  and  fainting  under 
the  intense  heat  and  burning  thirst  of  the  climate,  the  weary 
and  despairing  Russians  endeavored  to  regain  some  degree  of 
order  for  a  retreat  before  the  general  advance  which  it  was 
manifest  the  indomitable  Abbas  Mir/a  was  organizing.  The 
Persian  light  artillery  was  flying  over  the  adjacent  hills  with 
marvellous  rapidity  to  secure  favorable  positions  to  throw  their 
enemies  into  confusion.  The  Russian  light  artillery -men  had 
been  sabred  beside  their  guns  by  the  wild  goolams.  The  only 
cannon  that  remained  to  the  Muscovites  were  the  heavy  guns 
which  they  had  rallied  under  after  their  terrible  decimation. 
It  was  manifestly  the  duty  of  Madatov  to  commence  a  retreat 
at  once,  and  he  had  already  ordered  it  when  his  eyes  were 
greeted  by  a  vision  which  filled  him  with  joy,  at  the  same  time 
that  it  appalled  the  victorious  Persians,  who  were  already  ad 
vancing  to  intercept  the  Russian  retreat. 

From  every  hilltop,  plain  and  ravine  on  either  flank  of  the 
Persian  army  a  swarm  of  Cossacks  was  advancing.  Their  lances 
glittered  in  the  sunlight  and  were  carried  upright  by  means  of 


IRENE.  199 

a  strap  fastened  to  the  foot,  the  arm,  or  the  pommel  of  trie 
saddle.  They  were  armed  also  with  pistols,  sabres  and  bows 
and  arrows  Each/////'  had  two  silken  banners  adorned  with 
images  of  the  saints.  By  thousands  they  poured  in  on  either 
flank  of  the  advancing  Persians,  and  the  Ghebre  was  the  first 
who  rode  up  and  called  the  attention  of  Abbas  Mirza  to  his 
danger. 

"  JSeware  the  immense  cloud  of  t)ie  Cossacks  !  See  yonder, 
Your  Royal  Highness,  the  accuracy  of  Coadjutor."  Zenayi 
pointed  on  either  side  to  the  glittering  spear-heads  of  at  least 
twenty  thousand  of  the  irregular  flying  cavalry  of  Russia.  On 
they  came,  a  fearful  array  of  fresh,  fearless  riders,  eager  for 
battle  and  plunder,  and  moving  on  steadily  upon  the  exhausted 
ranks  of  the  heroic  patriots  who  were  gathering  their  last  ener 
gies  for  the  coup  de  grdce  to  Madatov's  defeated  regulars.  The 
hearts  of  the  bravest  might  well  be  appalled  at  the  danger  of 
this  immense  flank-movement.  Pulk  after  pulk  they  advanced, 
each  under  command  of  its  ataman.  Cossacks  of  the  Don, 
Cossacks  of  Malo- Russia,  Volgaic,  Terek,  Grebeskoi,  Uralian, 
and  Siberian  Cossacks  blended  their  Polish  and  Oriental  uni 
forms  in  one  overwhelming  horror  as  they  swept  forward  upon 
the  doomed  flanks  of  the  Persians. 

Abbas  Mirza  was  mounted  upon  a  superb  black  steed  whose 
swiftness  equalled  that  of  the  black-maned  Areion.  He  was 
surrounded  by  a  brilliant  staff,  some  of  them  slightly  wounded. 
From  the  rise  of  ground  whence  he  was  overlooking  and  direct 
ing  the  advance  upon  Madatov  the  danger  from  the  sudden  ap 
proach  of  the  Cossacks  was  fearfully  manifest.  Ever  prompt 
and  brilliant  in  sudden  emergencies,  he  issued  his  orders  now 
with  rapidity  and  clearness.  His  aids  dashed  away  over  the 
field  and  the  advance  upon  Madatov  was  countermanded. 
The  light  artillery  came  scampering  back  to  avoid  being  cut 
off  by  the  Cossacks,  and  the  infantry  were  soon  in  retreat,  while 
the  adjutant-general  was  intrusted  with  the  important  duty  of 
massing  the  artillery  to  protect  their  flight.  The  goolams  were 
assigned  to  the  fearful  duty  of  meeting  the  Cossacks.  Every 
moment  of  time  that  they  could  delay  the  huge  masses  of  this 
irregular  cavalry  of  Nicholas  was  vital  to  the  safety  of  the  Per 
sian  army.  Right  gallantly  did  these  fiery  Asiatics  dash  for 
ward  to  the  unequal  combat  and  meet  the  Cossacks.  Their 
light  bamboo  lances  drank  blood,  and  with  the  elan  of  tigers 
they  forced  their  way  over  heaps  of  dying  men  and  horses,  for 
the  life  of  their  Persia  was  at  stake.  Against  immense  odds 


200  IRENE. 

they  forced  their  way  on  both  flanks  of  the  retreating  Persians, 
and  Abbas  Mirza  watched  their  prowess  with  intense  interest, 
for  the  fate  of  his  army  depended  upon  the  duration  of  their  re- 
si*tance  to  the  immense  horde  of  Russian  cavalry.  Each  Persian 
goolarn,  with  the  soul  of  a  Codrus  in  him,  thrust  his  lance  and 
met  his  death,  or  dealing  fearful  havoc  with  his  sabre,  lined  his 
path  with  the  dead  and  the  dying,  and  then  escaped  from  the 
crush  of  the  Cossacks  only  to  \fhirl  a  swifter  flight  upon  another 
part  of  their  advance.  The  slaughter  at  these  flanks  was 
terrific  and  the  Cossacks  bit  the  earth  by  hundreds.  The  goo- 
lams  fought  like  incarnate  fiends,  and  for  a  time  the  skill  and 
d^j  oration  of  their  onset  were  successful.  The  Cossacks  wi/re 
retarded.  Seconds,  moments,  an  hour  passed  by  and  still  the 
Persian  heroes  held  them  back  and  met  their  death  one  after 
another,  until  their  small  force  had  dwindled  to  a  dozen  knots 
of  horsemen  enveloped  by  huge  crowds  of  the  frantic  and  en 
raged  foe.  A  few  of  the  goolams  broke  away  from  the  throng 
and  escaped  death  and  capture.  The  fatal  hour  had  been 
passed,  and  the  Asiatic  light  horse  had  saved  the  army  of  Abbas 
Mirza  from  annihilation.  The  infantry  were  passing  away 
down  the  road  beside  the  Koor  river,  and  the  adjutant-general, 
th*»  veteran  of  1813,  had  planted  the  artillery  at  the  entrance 
of  a  pass  so  that  Madatov  hesitated  to  push  ahead  with  his 
veterans,  who  had  rallied  and  followed  the  retreating  Persians 
upon  the  advent  of  the  Cossacks. 

All  of  that  afternoon  and  the  following  night  Abbas  Mirza 
continued  his  retreat  towards  the  Araxes,  and  when  morning 
broke  he  halted  his  dispirited  troops,  hopeful  of  a  day  of  rest. 
His  adjutant-general  soon  joined  him,  having  brought  off  in 
safety  the  artillery,  which  had  not  been  molested  by  the  Cos 
sacks.  This  extraordinary  forbearance  on  the  part  of  these 
fleet  horsemen  was  soon  explained.  Upon  looking  to  the 
southward,  where  the  road  led  up  over  rocky  hills,  it  was  dis 
covered  that  the  Cossacks  held  the  heights,  having  by  a  circuit 
ous  and  rapid  advance  cut  off  the  Persian  retreat. 


IRENE.  201 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

" -front  to  front 

Bring  thou  thisflend  of  Scotland  and  mysetf; 
Within  my  sword's  length  set  him.  — JJ 'he  ''scape, 
Then  Heaven  forgive  him,  too. 

MACBETH. 

JBBAS  MIRZA  had  selected  his  camping  ground  with  the 
eye  of  a  great  commander.  Forced  to  halt  his  army 
by  reason  of  their  extreme  exhaustion  from  continu 
ous  fighting  and  inarching,  he  had  at  the  first  glance 
proposed  to  occupy  the  height  now  held  by  tl  e  Cossacks.  But 
he  fortunately  recollected  before  the  enemy's  horse  appeared 
upon  this  eminence  that  the  position  could  readily  be  flanked 
by  the  Russians,  whose  combined  armies  now  so  far  exceeded 
in  numbers  his  own  force.  Riding  in  the  van  with  his  staff  he 
found  when  day  dawned  that  the  road  upon  which  he  was  re 
treating  descended  abruptly  into  a  great  amphitheatre  several 
miles  in  width  from  east  to  west,  but  from  north  to  south 
(the  direction  he  was  marching)  only  two  miles  across.  At 
the  southern  extremity  of  this  amphitheatre  were  the  heights 
now  occupied  by  the  Cossacks,  who  could  only  descend  into 
the  plain  of  the  amphitheatre  by  the  narrow  road  which  was 
flanked  on  either  hand  by  an  impenetrable  morass.  Should 
their  horse  attempt  to  charge  down  on  to  the  plain  they  would 
be  exposed  to  a  murderous  fire  from  his  artillery  when  about 
half  way  down  the  descending  road.  This  artillery,  and  indeed 
his  entire  army,  he  posted  at  once  upon  a  rocky  mountain 
standing  alone  in  the  midst  of  this  amphitheatre,  which  com 
manded  the  road  he  had  just  come  as  it  descended  into-the 
plain,  and  also  the  road  through  the  morass  down  which  the 
Cossacks  must  attack  unless  they  consumed  a  fatal  length  of 
time  by  taking  a  tedious  and  rocky  circuit  of  many  miles. 

The  artillery  which  the  Persian  commander  was  enabled  to 
place  in  position  for  the  defence  of  this  central  rock  mountain 
was  formidable  indeed.  In  addition  to  his  own  admirably 
handled  field- pieces,  he  held  the  cannon  captured  from  the 
Russians  when  they  were  routed  by  the  charge  of  the  goolams 
on  their  flank  in  the  late  battle.  If  Madatov  made  his  appear 
ance  on  the  high  ground  at  the  north  he  would  be  exposed  to 
a  destructive  artillery  fire  from  Abbas  Mirza's  loftier  position. 
On  the  south  the  Cossacks  would  meo;  a  similar  fire  if  they 

9* 


202  IRENE. 

approached  half  way  down  the  heights  where  they  would  come 
within  range.  While  Abbas  Mirza  made  this  disposition  of  his 
forces,  the  Cossacks  looked  down  upon  the  movements  of  the 
Persians,  but  made  no  effort  to  interfere  with  them.  Doubt 
less  they  had  received  their  instnictions  from  Madatov,  who  ex 
pected  to  capture  the  entire  army  of  the  Shah.  Along  the 
rocky  heights  the  Cossack  line  extended,  plainly  visible  above 
the  morass.  No  indication  of  the  coming  of  Madatov  was  to  be 
seen  on  the  north,  and  Abbas  Mirza  congratulated  himself  upon 
the  rest  which  his  weary  troops  would  secure.  His  central 
rock  mountain  was  bristling  with  bayonets  flashing  in  the  sun, 
and  the  brass  field-pieces  on  every  side  were  visible,  ready  to 
sweep  every  approach  up  to  his  citadel,  should  the  Russians 
succeed  in  eluding  his  first  artillery  fire  and  attempt  to  storm 
the  heights. 

The  morning  wore  away  and  still  none  of  the  enemy  had  ap 
peared  on  the  north.  The  forces  of  Madatov  had  been  too 
badly  cut  up  and  disorganized  to  pursue  with  vigor,  and  that 
general,  doubtless,  trusted  to  the  Cossacks  to  hold  the  retreat 
ing  army  in  check  until  he  could  come  up.  The  Persian  com 
mander  was  confident  that  if  he  could  maintain  himself  for  two 
in  his  present  position,  ten  thousand  infantry  from  the 
camp  on  the  Araxes  would  come  to  his  relief.  Towards  even 
ing  all  speculations  as  to  Madatov's  movements  were  silenced 
by  the  appearance  of  the  Russians  at  the  north.  Along  the 
winding,  rocky  road  they  moved  in  solid  column,  a  splendid 
spectacle,  with  their  bayonets  glistening  in  the  red  light  of  the 
setting  sun.  Even  the  small  green  yaschicks  or  waggons  of  the 
companies  were  visible  by  the  aid  of  field-glasses,  each  con 
taining  sixty  rounds  of  ball  cartridge  for  each  man  in  addition 
to  those  he  carried  in  his  pouch.  Arriving  at  the  point  where 
the  road  widened  out,  just  before  commencing  to  descend  to 
the  plain  of  the  amphitheatre,  the  advance  regiment  was  re 
ceived  with  a  discharge  of  Persian  artillery,  which  inflicted  fright 
ful  havoc,  so  admirably  were  the  guns  handled  ;  the  balls  plough 
ing  their  way  through  the  solid  mass  of  infantry  crowded  upon 
the  road.  Unable  to  retreat  from  the  broken  nature  of  the 
ground  and  the  impeding  regiments  in  the  rear,  this  regiment 
was  well  nigh  annihilated.  The  well-directed  shot  swept  every 
yard  of  the  highway,  and  the  enemy's  advance  was  for  the  time 
effectually  checked.  When  night  fell,  the  Russians  were  evi 
dently  falling  back  out  of  range  of  this  destructive  fire,  to  await 
the  light  of  the  enduing  day. 


IRENE.  203 

When  midnight  came  silence  brooded  over  the  three  armies. 
Mystery  magnifies  danger.  The  ominous  quiet  which  every 
where  reigned  in  the  camps  of  his  adversaries,  the  possibility 
that  at  some  point  of  the  compass  they  might  be  stealing  a  cir 
cuitous  march  upon  him,  the  knowledge  that  in  the  direction  of 
Madatov's  left  were  a  few  prominent  rocks,  apparently  inacces 
sible,  which  genius  with  her  marvellous  hands  might  crown  with 
artillery  which  would  overreach  his  guns,  all  tended  to  keep 
Abbas  Mirza  upon  the  alert  during  the  entire  night.  He  was 
watching  at  midnight  upon  the  apex  of  his  rock  mountain -every 
mile  of  the  surrounding  country.  The  moon  was  at  the  full 
and  the  stars  were  luminous  over  the  entire  expanse  of  the 
heavens.  His  staff  were  stretched  upon  the  rocks  about  him 
in  heavy  sleep,  with  their  horses  secured  near  them  ready  for 
instant  service.  His  only  watchful  companions  were  the  adju 
tant-general,  reticent  but  irresistible  as  Tydeus,  and  the  white- 
robed  Ghebre,  who  stood  apart  upon  a  broad  platform  of  level 
rock  with  all  the  implements  of  astrology,  taking  an  observation 
of  the  stars.  As  court  astrologer  of  Abbas  Mirza  it  was  his 
duty  to  ascertain  on  the  eve  of  great  events  or  the  commence 
ment  of  a  journey  if  the  great  lights  of  heaven  portended  for 
tune  or  disaster.  The  Persians  from  the  earliest  ages  of  their 
history  have  been  devotees  of  the  occult  science.  It  was  then 
with  delight  that  the  mysterious  Zenayi  returned  with  the  astrol 
ogical  calculation  to  his  master's  side,  and  announced  that  the 
stars  favored  the  cause  of  Persia  on  the  morrow. 

"Will  it  be  victory,  Zenayi?"  inquired  the  Prince  Royal. 

"  No,"  was  the  response. 

"  We  shall  effect  our  escape  ?  "  continued  the  anxious  com 
mander. 

"  So  the  lights  of  Ormuzd  indicate  to  their  servant,"  was  the 
reply  of  the  Ghebre. 

The  Prince  Royal  laid  his  hand  affectionately  upon  the 
shoulder  of  his  great  friend  and  savant  as  he  said  : 

"  Why  does  your  zeal  and  love  for  Persia  equal  the  persist 
ency  and  tenderness  of  a  mother's  love  ?" 

"  Persia  is  my  child,"  replied  Zenayi,  and  as  he  spoke  he 
looked  full  into  the  eyes  of  the  Prince.  And  in  that  unfathom 
able  and  far-off  look  of  the  Ghebre' s  eyes  Abbas  Mirza  saw 
again  that  peculiar  expression  of  immensity  of  knowledge,  or 
measureless  consciousness,  which  awed  all  who  encountered  it 
and  set  them  to  dreaming  of  their  earliest  recollections.  In 
that  look  all  men  felt  themselves  to  dwindle.  Their  power  of 


204  IRENE. 

memory,  of  intellectual  grasp,  of  analysis,  seemed  to  grow  feeble 
by  contact  with  that  singular  intellect  whose  acquirements 
stamped  him  master.  Who  could  dispute  with  that  being 
whose  memory  of  facts,  whose  immense  study,  had  provided 
him  with  an  ever-ready  torrent  of  comparisons,  illustrations 
and  figures,  Zenayi  was  no  sciolist.  What  he  knew  he  knew 
thoroughly,  and  like  a  deity  he  seemed  to  know  everything  of 
the  past.  Men  would  have  pronounced  him  a  god  had  not  his 
power  been  limited  to  the  past.  The  future  to  him  was  as 
hidden  as  to  all  men.  But  what  had  been  he  was  master  of, 
and  when  one  looked  full  into  those  deep,  thoughtful  eyes  he 
seemed  to  behold  an  intellect  which  had  been  a  contemporary 
of  the  earliest  knowledge  that  existed  from  the  foundation  of 
the  race  of  man.  The  thought  suggested  was,  "  That  being 
commenced  with  the  cradle  of  knowledge  and  has  existed  down 
to  the  present  moment,  always  studying,  always  acquiring,  and 
his  memory  never  fails  him."  But  if  in  any  one  department 
of  knowledge  Zenayi  appeared  to  men  to  be  more  perfected 
than  in  another  that  department  was  Persia.  He  knew  every 
detail  of  its  history  from  Kayomurz,  the  first  man,  to  Futteh 
AH  Shah,  the  present  sovereign.  Dynasties,  wars,  sarans, 
topographies  were  all  known  to  him.  Could  he  have  indeed 
visited  every  foot  of  ground  in  the  empire  ?  Sometimes  it  ap 
peared  so.  For  when  men  accosted  him  for  details  and  dis 
tances  in  Persia  he  answered  promptly  and  to  the  point. 
There  were  no  inaccuracies  in  Zenayi's  statements.  Could 
any  man  without  a  personal  visit  know  every  corner  of  Persia 
as  well  as  the  local  natives  of  each  place  ?  Many  a  map  had 
lost  credit  simply  because  this  illustrious  scholar  pointed  out 
inaccuracies  from  his  memory  of  distances  and  the  peculiar  for 
mations  of  mountains  and  plains  and  rivers.  There  was  no 
professional  story-teller  of  Persia  who  could  hold  an  audience 
in  raptured  silence  and  attention  as  this  priest  of  the  proscribed 
religion  of  Zoroaster  could  do  when  he  was  betrayed  into  an 
argument  at  the  gate  of  a  town  or  city.  For  then  the  doors  of 
the  great  and  wonderful  past  seemed  to  fly  open  at  his  magic 
touch,  and  consultations  with  historic  books  all  confirmed  his 
statements. 

He  would  portray  with  the  eloquence  and  accuracy  of  Aris- 
tarchus  the  ancient  sculptured  royal  tombs  of  Nakshi  Ron  stain 
or  the  "  Mountain  of  Sepulchres,"  coeval  with  the  splendor  of 
Persepolis,  until  the  patriotic  enthusiasm  of  his  listeners  was 
aroused  to  the  loftiest  pitch  at  the  memory  of  the  lost  glories 


IRENE.  205 

of  Iran.  And  every  visitor  to  the  plice  would  return  with 
encomiums  upon  the  accuracy  of  the  Ghebre.  The  fluted  col 
umns  of  Persepolis,  the  equestrian  can  ings  upon  the  ruins  of 
the  ancient  and  famous  city  of  Rhey,  made  by  artists  two  hun 
dred  years  before  the  deliverance  of  the  Jews  by  Cyrus,  and  the 
sculptured  wonders  of  Mourg  Aub,  were  so  vividly  portrayed, 
with  all  the  details  of  the  surroundings,  that  the  listeners  were 
oft  induced  to  believe  that  the  narrator  was  some  mighty  wiz 
ard  who  had  had  personal  knowledge  of  these  cities  when  they 
were  in  the  perfection  of  their  architecture  and  glory. 

But  never  in  an  unguarded  moment  had  mortal  man  been 
successful  in  drawing  from  the  Ghebre  the  secret  of  his  match 
less  knowledge  and  memory.  He  always  responded  in  this 
manner : 

"  Patience  in  study,  and  a  judicious  use  of  our  time,  will 
compress  the  recollection  of  many  things  into  the  ordinary  life 
time  of  a  sound,  healthy  man." 

Nothing  further  could  be  gleaned  from  the  Sphinx.  The 
listeners  would  shake  their  heads  and  whisper  to  each  other  of 
Eblis  and  the  infernal  powers  that  deity  could  manifest  on 
earth.  The  Jews  in  Persia  of  the  cultivated  classes  styled  him 
"  Azazel"  a  demon  of  the  pre-Mosaic  religion.  But  whatever 
he  was,  or  from  whatever  power,  human,  infernal  or  divine,  he 
gained  his  wonderful  knowledge,  no  man  could  charge  him  with 
evil  acts.  His  life  was  exemplary,  his  charity  proverbial  as  his 
honesty,  and  his  love  for  Persia  the  admiration  of  the  patriotic. 
In  just  proportion  to  his  powers  of  intellectual  perception  was 
his  ability  to  read  the  true  characters  of  men.  The  subtleties 
of  logicians  he  unravelled  with  ease.  He  penetrated  to  the 
secrets  of  hypocrites  on  wings  of  lightning ;  he  drew  close  in  ten 
derness  to  the  pure  of  heart  and  motive.  He  manifested  no 
resentments.  His  most  vigorous  denunciations  of  the  bad  were 
ever  coupled  with  recognition  of  the  inherent  good  in  them. 
Hence  men  who  desired  an  unbiassed  opinion  sought  the  counsel 
of  Zenayi.  His  sterling  and  intrinsic  merit  early  recommended 
him  to  the  attention  and  friendship  of  the  heir-apparent  to  the 
crown  of  Persia.  Abbas  Mirza  had  received  much  of  his  early 
education  from  the  Ghebre.  He  would  quarrel  at  times  in 
mature  life  with  his  friend  on  matters  of  judgment.  But  with 
rare  sense  this  patriot  Prince  ever  returned  to  his  friend,  and 
avowed  his  own  error  when  cool  counsels  at  length  prevailed. 
He  had  commenced  this  war  with  Russia  contrary  to  the  ad 
vice  of  the  Ghebre.  But  when  the  horrid  gauntlet  of  blood 


2O6  IRENE. 

had  been  raised  from  the  earth  by  Russia  he  hastened  to  re 
store  Zenayi  to  his  former  confidence.  He  needed  this  friend, 
and  the  great  patriot  priest  never  hesitated  when  he  could  serve 
Persia.  The  inexhaustible  resources  of  Zenayi' s  intellect  and 
his  thorough  knowledge  of  military  details  proved  to  be  of  in 
estimable  value  to  the  Persian  commander.  The  magnanimity 
evinced  by  the  Ghebre  in  ignoring  his  expulsion  from  the  coun 
cil  of  the  Shah  won  so  upon  the  heart  of  Abbas  Mirza,  that  he 
secretly  vowed  eternal  fidelity  to  the  priest  to  the  end  of  time ; 
and  now  in  the  critical  hour  for  Persia,  the  Prince,  the  Ghebre, 
and  the  able  adjutant-general  stood  upon  the  summit  of  the 
rock-mountain  in  perfect  accord,  mutual  respect,  and  undying 
zeal  for  their  beleaguered  country.  In  this  hour  of  danger, 
those  three  hardy  and  valorous  soldiers  stood  watchful  through 
the  entire  night.  They  could  not  sleep  when  the  Persian  army 
perchance  rested  on  its  last  battlefield. 

When  morning  broke,  as  the  adjutant-general  had  predicted, 
the  Russian  artillery  opened  upon  the  Persians.  The  foe  had, 
during  the  night,  with  incredible  toil  and  persistency,  succeeded 
in  dragging  (by  means  of  wooden  platforms,  made  of  their  bag 
gage  wagons  and  tent-poles),  several  brass  field-pieces  to  the 
summit  of  the  rocks,  which  had  been  deemed  inaccessible. 
From  an  equal  altitude,  then,  with  some  of  the  Persian  batteries, 
at  dawn  they  opened  their  fire.  The  upper  Persian  batteries 
commanded  these  rock-summits,  and  returned  the  fire  with 
rapidity  and  accuracy.  The  cannonade  continued  for  hours, 
the  Russians  obstinately  continuing  their  fire  until  every  one 
of  their  field-pieces  was  disabled.  In  the  meantime  the  in 
fantry  and  artillery,  lower  down  the  mountain,  had  suffered  se 
verely  from  the  cannonade.  The  Muscovite  infantry  had  re 
mained  concealed  by  the  turn  of  the  road.  Now  they  ap 
peared,  rushed  forward  in  the  face  of  a  terribly  galling  artillery 
fire,  and  descending  the  road  to  the  plain,  pushed  forward  to 
the  assault  of  the  mountain.  Gallantly  they  advanced  untiL 
they  were  within  range  for  musketry  fire.  Great  gaps  had  been 
torn  through  their  ranks  by  the  artillery,  but  onward  they  came, 
and  stormed  the  mountain  with  indomitable  resolution.  The 
Persiin  infantry  swept  them  away  rank  after  rank  by  the  most 
deliberate  and  deadly  fire.  Simultaneously  the  Cossacks  at 
tempted  to  descend  the  hill  through  the  morass-flanked  road. 
The  Persian  artillery  piled  them  in  dead  heaps  upon  one 
another,  until  corpses  of  men  and  horses  blocked  up  the  way. 
The  attempt  of  these  wild  riders  to  cause  a  diversion  in  favor 


IRENE.  2O7 

of  Madatov's  troops  was  a  complete  failure;  after  a  time  they 
withdrew  up  the  hill,  and  rejoined  their  companions  on  the 
summit.  At  this  sight  the  Persians  on  the  southern  slope  of 
the  rock-mountain  yelled  with  exultation.  Their  comrades  on 
the  northern  slope,  hearing  their  cries,  joined  in  until  the  whole 
mountain  was  alive  with  human  voices  blending  with  the  roar 
of  the  cannon,  and  the  rattle  of  the  musketry,  which  were  deal 
ing  death  to  the  soldiers  of  Madatov.  The  charge  of  the  Rus 
sian  infantry  was  repulsed,  and  they  retreated  in  confusion 
under  a  galling  fire  of  artillery,  not  by  the  road  they  had  come, 
but  away  off  over  the  open  plain  of  the  amphitheatre  towards 
the  west.  Abbas  Mirza  having  lost  his  goolams  in  the  former 
battle,  was  unable  to  pursue  with  cavalry,  which  he  earnestly 
desired,  but  sent  immediately  a  portion  of  his  admirable  fly 
ing  artillery  and  four  regiments  of  infantry  after  the  fugitives. 
The  fire  from  the  rock-mountain  now  ceased  entirely.  All 
upon  its  sides  were  either  spectators  of  the  movements  of  their 
comrades  o'n  the  plain,  as  they  pursued  the  foe,  or  watched  the 
Cossacks  on  the  distant  hill.  The  eyes  of  Abbas  Mirza  were 
fixed  upon  the  road  to  the  north,  where  he  believed  the  re 
serves  of  Madatov  were  concealed  behind  the  turn. 

Moments  passed  by,  and  still  all  was  quiet  at  the  northward. 
Only  on  the  distant  plain  was  the  battle  raging.  Then  the 
adjutant-general  rode  up  to  the  black  steed,  upon  which  his 
chief  was  mounted,  and  directed  his  attention  to  the  Cossacks, 
whose  dense  masses  of  spear-heads  were  leaving  the  heights, 
and  disappearing  behind  them  to  the  southward.  It  was 
doubtless  the  purpose  of  this  immense  force  of  cavalry  to  seek 
the  plain  by  some  tedious  circuitous  route,  which  was  the  only 
possible  method  of  their  rendering  any  assistance  to  Madatov's 
forces.  Soon  the  last  man  of  them  had  disappeared  from  the 
sight  of  the  Persians,  and  the  result  was  awaited  with  intense 
interest. 

The  contest  on  the  plain  was  now  being  conducted  with 
great  determination  and  skill.  The  Russian  infantry  had  re 
formed  upon  a  slight  eminence  and  were  making  stubborn  re 
sistance  to  the  Persian  infantry  and  light  artillery,  when,  to  the 
amazement  of  the  Persian  commander,  a  heavy  force  of  infantry 
and  artillery  appeared  in  the  rear  of  the  Muscovites  and  march 
ing  to  their  assistance.  The  entire  reserves  of  Madatov  -had 
evidently  discovered  a  new  route  by  which  they  could  descend 
from  the  hills  and  reach  the  plain  of  the  amphitheatre,  unmo 
lested  by  the  batteries  of  the  Persians  on  the  rock  mountain. 


2O8  IRENE. 

Without  a  moment's  hesitation  Abbas  Mirza  directed  the  evac 
uation  of  the  mountain  and  pushed  his  remaining  force  of  artil 
lery  and  infantry,  the  bulk  of  his  command,  forward  to  the  bat 
tle  on  the  plain.  He  trusted  to  the  spirit  and  zeal  of  his 
troops  to  defeat  a  second  time  Madatov's  army  before  the 
Cossacks  could  make  the  circuit  of  the  hills.  He  rode  along 
the  lines  of  his  armyas  it  was  reformed  upon  the  plain,  and 
cried  to  his  troops  in  his  clear,  magnetic  voice  : 

"  Persians,  can  you  fail  to  defeat  yonder  army  of  Madatov 
which  you  have  already  defeated  only  two  days  ago  ?  For 
ward  upon  the  dogs  of  Russia  !  " 

With  yells  of  exultation  the  army  moved  forward  to  the  as 
sistance  of  their  countrymen,  who  were  already  hard  pressed  by 
the  reinforced  ranks  of  the  Russians.  The  junction  of  the 
formidable  reinforcement  under  command  of  Madatov,  in  fresh, 
firm  and  ardent  array,  infused  new  life  and  hoj>e  into  the  sink 
ing  energy  of  the  Muscovite  infantry.  They  rallied  and  charged 
with  desperate  valor  upon  the  Persians,  driving  them  slowly 
backward  until  they  encountered  the  bulk  of  the  army  of  Abbas 
Mirza.  The  entire  forces  of  the  Prince  Royal  and  of  Madatov 
were  now  engaged  in  deadly  conflict  upon  the  plain.  The  tide 
of  battle  surged  back  and  forth  for  hours.  Neither  commander 
would  for  an  instant  flinch  from  the  terrific  slaughter  of  men, 
which  now  seemed  inevitable  whichever  way  the  final  victory 
might  move.  Hour  after  hour  the  artillery  sounded  its 
thunder  tones  of  death,  and  the  musketry  poured  its  leaden 
hail  into  the  breasts  and  brains  of  foemen  who  had  resolved 
never  to  yield. 

In  the  midst  of  the  death  harvest  an  aid  rode  up  to  Abbas 
Mirza  with  the  startling  intelligence  that  the  twenty  thousand 
Cossacks  were  advancing  over  the  plain  from  the  southward, 
and  would  strike  the  flank  of  his  struggling  army.  "  Let 
them  come,"  was  the  reply  of  the  chief.  "  Persia  will  die 
pushing  boldly  on  upon  the  ranks  of  Madatov.  It  is  our 
only  hope."  And  the  battle  went  on  without  cessation.  The 
(ihcbrc  and  the  adjutant  general,  as  they  listened  to  these 
words,  knew  that  the  Prince  Royal  had  chosen  the  desperate 
Humce.  A-retreat  to  the  rock  mountain  was  feasible,  but  he  had 
abandoned  the  mountain  forever.  Unless  the  Russians  were 
speedily  routed  there  was  no  hoj>e  for  Persia,  And  speedily 
were  they  routed.  For  Abbas  Mirza,  knowing  full  well  that  every 
moment  was  precious,  dashed  to  the  front  into  the  midst  of  the 
hottest  fire,  and  led  the  charge  of  infantry  upon  the  stubborn 


IRENE.  209 

Russians  with  the  gallantry  of  a  Boemond.  Seeing  the  reckless 
ness  with  which  their  Prince  exposed  his  person,  the  Persians,  as 
by  one  magnetic  impulse,  rushed  forward  with  fixed  bayonets, 
and  by  the  fury  and  impetuosity  of  their  charge  crushed  in  the 
Muscovite  line.  For  a  time  the  enemy  struggled  desperately 
to  reform  their  line,  but  they  soon  were  forced  into  utter  con 
fusion,  and  fell  away  in  every  direction  to  the  northward,  leaving 
twelve  pieces  of  artillery  in  the  hands  of  the  Persians.  The 
cheers  of  the  victors  rang  over  the  plain,  and  for  a  few  moments 
exultation  was  in  every  heart. 

But  Abbas  Mirza  restrained  the  victors  as  they  pursued  the 
retreating  foe,  and  rapidly  changed  front,  for  a  fearful  array  of 
Cossacks  were  advancing  at  a  brisk  trot  to  overwhelm  his  army. 
He  had  little  time  for  preparation.  He  formed  his  infantry 
into  squares  to  resist  the  charge  of  twenty  thousand  cavalry, 
whose  tactics  he  well  knew  were  repeated  dashes  from  every 
side  until  their  foes  were  harassed  to  death  by  the  frequency  of 
their  assaults.  What  was  his  dismay  to  learn  that  the  shot  for 
his  artillery  were  entirely  exhausted.  This  arm  of  the  service 
was  therefore  useless.  But  with  the  ingenuity  of  despair  he 
ordered  the  gunners  to  stand  with  lighted  fuses  beside  their 
pieces  after  they  had  loaded  them  with  the  pebbles  which 
strewed  the  plain.  This  extemporized  grape-shot  was  reserved 
for  the  last  minute  of  the  doomed  Persian  army.  With  the 
royal  standard  of  the  Sun  Lion  unfurled  beside  him,  and  with 
his  gallant  staff  and  the  white -robed  Ghebre  on  their  superb 
Khorassan  steeds  around  him,  Abbas  Mirza  awaited  death. 
The  huge  cloud  of  the  Cossacks  in  another  instant  would  burst 
into  charging  fragments  around  him.  Hundreds  would  die  on 
the  Persian  bayonets,  but  the  doom  of  the  crippled  army  a  few 
minutes  later  was  beyond  question.  The  Prince  Royal  of 
Persia  was  superb  in  his  death  struggle.  His  own  sabre  was 
unsheathed  for  some  Cossack's  brain.  Every  man  in  the 
kneeling  ranks  was  superb  as  he  clutched  the  musket  which 
would  deal  death  to  an  enemy  on  its  glittering  bayonet  before 
the  overwhelming  rush  crushed  it  to  the  earth.  A  silence  as  of 
death  reigned.  Every  patriot  hero's  eye  was  fixed  for  the  ad 
vance  of  the  wild  horse,  the  clatter  of  whose  hoofs  already 
sounded  on  the  plain. 

Hark  !  a  shout  so  loud,  even-toned  and  quick  as  the  near 
thunder  crash  rose  over  the  plain,  that  every  Persian  knew  it 
was  hope.  They  had  heard  that  even-toned,  short,  disciplined 
shout  too  often  upon  the  parade  ground  not  to  know  who  was 


210  IRENE 

coming  like  lightning  to  the  rescue.  "  Debaena  !  Dcbaena  /" 
The  glad  shout  broke  from  every  heart  in  the  beleaguered  army. 
From  the  road  through  the  morass,  abandoned  by  the  Cossacks 
hours  before,  the  regular  cavalry  were  advancing.  They  were 
already  down  upon  the  plain  from  the  hill,  and  in  five  divisions 
they  were  dashing  forward  like  the  wind  for  the  Cossacks. 
Leading  the  central  division,  whose  coats  of  mail  glistened  like 
a  silver  river  in  the  sun,  was  Al-Borak.  His  master's  sabre  was 
Hashing  in  air  above  him.  And  twenty  feet  above  all  was  the 
huge  king-vulture,  " Boshran"  (good  tidings).  His  wide  ex 
panded  wings  swept  forward  with  the  frantic  onset  of  the  horse, 
as  with  the  yell  of  victory  they  pierced  at  five  points  the  Cossack 
array  trampling  and  sabring  everything  before  them,  and  then 
issuing  in  wonderful  order  on  to  the  open  field  beyond.  Without 
a  pause  the  five  divisions  wheeled,  and  returning  upon  another 
portion  of  the  Cossack  flank,  cut  their  way  through  a  second 
time,  leaving  horses,  men  and  lances  scattered  in  wild  confu 
sion  upon  the  plain.  Again  and  again  they  charged.  The  hero 
of  Toorkomania  was  in  his  element,  and  nobly  did  he  respond 
to  the  trust  the  Persian  army  reposed  in  his  skill.  With  resist 
less  impetuousity  he  fell  upon  the  sanguinary  hosts  of  the  hire 
lings  of  Nicholas  and  by  repeated  assaults  scattered  them  in 
every  direction.  The -weight  and  compactness  of  his  Asiatic 
cavalry  overpowered  the  loose  order  and  desultory  tactics  of 
the  Cossack  horde.  They  bent  and  wavered  and  broke  at 
every  charge,  and  rising  to  their  feet  the  Persian  army  yelled  in 
exultation  to  see  Debaena  chasing  them  from  the  field.  They 
broke  and  fled  at  last  in  every  direction  over  the  plain,  and 
were  pursued  until  the  close  of  day  with  incessant  slaughter. 
The  plain  was  strewed  with  horses,  lances,  sabres,  bows  and 
quivers,  and  thousands  of  bleeding  and  dead  Cossacks.  Of  six 
thousand  Persian  horse  only  five  hundred  saddles  were  emptied. 
Debaena  had  saved  the  army  of  Abbas  Mir/a,  and  with  this 
matchless  cavalry  hovering  upon  their  flanks  and  rear,  the  Per 
sians  continued  their  retreat  towards  the  Araxes,  followed  by 
the  inevitable  Madatov,  who  speedily  reconstructed  his  vete 
rans  and  collected  his  routed  Cossacks. 


IRENE.  211 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

JILLIAM  the  Conqueror  was  thrown  from  his  horse 
and  killed.  Frederic  Barbarossa,  the  great  monarch 
and  still  greater  commander,  the  first  horseman  of  the 
Third  Crusade,  was  flung  by  his  steed  into  the  torrent 
of  the  Calycadnus  and  died  from  the  fall.  It  was  then,  no 
marvel  that  General  Alfonso  Debaena,  the  most  fiery  and  ac 
complished  horseman  of  the  Persian  army,  should  be  flung  crip 
pled  to  the  earth  by  Al-Borak.  In  a  skirmish  with  Cossack 
cavalry  in  the  valley  of  the  Araxes,  after  Abbas  Mirza  had 
crossed  that  river  with  his  army  in  his  memorable  retreat,  a 
Persian  standard-bearer  was  shot  beside  General  Debaena. 
As  he  fell  from  his  horse  the  standard  escaping  from  his  grasp 
struck  the  eyes  of  Al-Borak.  The  frightened  steed  plunged 
and  threw  his  master  as  he  was  on  the  point  of  braining  a 
Cossack  with  his  sabre.  His  troops  fought  desperately  over 
the  body  of  their  fallen  chief,  and  the  king-vulture,  ever  hover 
ing  over  his  master's  head,  fell  upon  the  Cossack,  who  had  con 
fronted  Debaena  as  he  raised  his  lance  to  transfix  the  fallen 
man,  and  tore  his  eyes  from  their  sockets.  Satisfied  by  this 
manifestation  of  his  devotion  to  his  master,  he  rose  again  in  air 
and  followed  the  course  of  the  horsemen  who  were  bearing 
away  their  crippled  chief  to  a  place  of  safety. 

The  consequences  of  this  disaster  proved  how  largely  his  cav 
alry  had  been  indebted  for  their  success  to  the  splendor  of  his 
personal  qualities.  The  Cossacks,  who  had  hung  upon  the 
flanks  and  rear  of  Abbas  Mirza's  retreating  army  even  down  to 
the  banks  of  the  Araxes,  recovering  from  the  terror  inspired 
by  the  skill  and  daring  of  Debaena,  renewed  their  assaults 
upon  his  cavalry  with  increased  vehemence  and  recklessness, 
which  insured  them  many  advantages.  The  regulars  of  De 
baena  fought  well  and  heroically,  but  the  esprit  and  confidence 
evoked  by  his  presence  and  dash,  and  which  had  rendered  them 
invincible,  had  departed  with  his  fall,  and  they  fell  back  more 
frequently  before  superior  numbers. 

When  Abbas  Mirza  established  himself  in  winter  quarters  at 
the  fortress  of  Ardebil,  south  of  the  river,  and  the  Russian 
army  sought  for  the  winter  a  post  north  of  the  Araxes,  the  dis 
abled  commander  of  horse  was,  by  the  advice  of  the  army  sur 
geon,  sent  in  a  tackti-ravan  to  the  residence  of  a  wealthy  khan 


2  I  2  IRENE. 

of  the  empire  upon  the  shore  of  the  Caspian  Sea.  The  dis 
tance  from  the  winter  quarters  of  the  Prince  Royal  to  this  lux 
urious  hospital  was  some  fifty  miles.  The  Persian  noble  who 
had  offered  this  asylum  to  the  disabled  officer  was  on  the  staff 
of  Abbas  Mir/a,  and  his  son  was  a  yuzbashi  or  centurion  of 
horse  in  General  Debaena's  cavalry.  The  Prince  Royal  was 
particularly  gratified  by  this  offer  on  the  part  of  his  staff  officer, 
as,  in  addition  to  his  own  tender  sympathy  for  the  misfortune 
of  die  able  soldier,  he  had  received  a  letter  from  Ayesha  ex 
pressing  her  regret  at  the  great  loss  her  country  had  received 
in  Debaena,  and  imploring  him  to  see  to  it  that  the  sufferer 
received  such  rare  attention  and  nursing  as  were  due  to  one  who 
had  rescued  a  son  of  the  Shah  from  the  horrors  of  Turcoman 
slavery.  Such  powerful  interposition  from  Teheran,  coupled 
with  the  entreaties  of  the  khan  and  his  son,  could  not  fail  to 
influence  the  commander-in -chief  of  the  Persian  army  to  send 
Debaena  with  all  tenderness  of  conveyance  to  the  shores  of 
the  Caspian.  During  the  winter  the  Prince  Royal  himself 
visited  his  officer  in  his  retreat,  and  Zenayi  found  more  than 
one  excuse  for  stealing  away  from  headquarters  and  tarrying 
beside  the  couch  of  his  protege.  To  insure  the  most  assiduous 
attention  and  kindness  for  Debaena,  the  Persian  noble  and 
his  son  wrote  letters  imploring  the  mother  and  daughter  of 
the  khan  to  treat  the  sufferer  as  if  he  were  a  member  of  their 
family. 

The  winter  season  wore  away  at  last,  and  when  the  shores  of 
the  Caspian  were  clad  in  the  luxuriant  foliage  and  the  marvel 
lous  flora  of  that  voluptuous  clime  in  May,  the  commander  of 
horse  was  notified  that  he  might  with  safety  leave  his  bed  and 
enjoy  the  sensuous  delights  of  the  open  air  in  a  short  stroll 
every  day.  His  internal  injuries  had  yielded  to  the  touch  of 
science,  and  he  would  in  time  be  an  efficient  soldier  once  more. 
"  Mens  sana  in  corpore  sano,"  said  the  Ghebre  to  him  when 
the  attending  surgeon  pronounced  the  words  of  hope.  "  Does 
not  that  thought  come  to  you  now,  my  hero,  my  hope,  like  the 
gift  of  a  new  existence  from  Ormu/.d?  Ah  !  my  life  has  IK-CH 
bound  up  in  yours.  I  shall  go  back  to  the  army  now  with  the 
lightest  heart  that  ever  man  bore.  And  Abbas  Mir/a  !  How 
his  noble  heart  will  tremble  with  exultation  at  the  tidings. 
And  the  troops ;  how  they  will  cheer  before  the  citadel  of 
Ardebil.  Boy,  is  it  not  a  reward  for  suffering  and  toil  and 
heroism  that  brave  hearts  exult  over  your  recovery,  that  patriot 


IRENE.  213 

eyes  brighten  at  glad  news  from  your  bedside,  and  the  mothers 
and  daughters  of  Persia  bless  your  name  ?  " 

When  the  Ghebre  walked  forth  with  the  invalid  leaning  upon 
his  arm  and  accompanied  by  the  lovely  daughter  of  the  khan 
and  her  grandmother,  who  had  watched  the  couch  of  the 
soldier  for  many  months  as  only  patriot  women  can  watch  over 
strangers  crippled  in  the  service  of  their  country,  the  view  of 
the  great  estate  stretching  away  to  the  shore  of  the  ochre 
Caspian  was  like  a  dream  of  Jannat  al  Ferdaws  (the  garden  of 
paradise).  In  the  broad  limits  of  the  Persian  noble's  charbagh 
were  seen  the  most  beautiful  trees  of  Persia.  On  the  slopes 
of  the  hills  were  luxuriant  oaks,  elms,  sycamores,  beeches,  ash 
and  walnut  trees  in  the  fulness  of  their  May  foliage.  To  the 
right  were  lowlands  with  a  dense  growth  of  enormous  alders, 
willows  and  poplars.  To  the  left  were  thickets  of  wild  pome 
granate,  plum,  blackthorn,  orange  and  lime  trees.  Near  to 
the  shore  of  the  Caspian  was  a  great  marsh,  where  wild  vines 
festooned  the  giant  trees  and  the  grass  was  enamelled  with 
flowers.  As  the  soldier  wandered  on  in  the  warm,  tropical 
sunlight  and  listened  to  the  gentle  sound  of  the  voices  about 
him,  calling  his  attention  to  some  new  beauty  of  the  landscape, 
he  espied  a  long  stretch  of  green  meadow  which  went  rolling 
gently  on  before  him  till  its  emerald  freshness  was  cut  abruptly 
by  the  waters  of  the  sea.  This  wide  reach  of  verdure  had 
ever  been  his  delight,  and  now  his  languid  eyes  dwelt  upon  its 
unbioken  extent  as  its  green  waves  undulated  gently  away 
without  a  tree  to  the  Caspian.  He  paused  at  a  seat  upon  its 
border  that  he  might  enjoy  it  at  his  ease.  Drooping  branches 
of  the  willows  above  his  head  sheltered  him  from  the  sun's  rays, 
and  his  seat  was  at  the  verge  of  a  spouting  spring  whose  spark 
ling  spray  he  loved  to  watch  and  listen  to  the  gurgling  of  its 
waters.  Seeing  how  entranced  he  was  by  this  particular  lo 
cality,  and  how  his  appreciative  eyes  preferred  to  dream  in  si 
lence  over  the  wide-reaching  view,  his  companions  withdrew 
for  a  few  moments  and  left  him  to  enjoy  it  alone.  So  adroitly 
did  they  leave  him,  one  by  one  stealing  gently  away  with  noise 
less  tread  in  consonance  with  his  dreamy  mood,  that  he  did 
not  realize  their  absence  until  his  eye  encountered  after  a  time 
the  white  robe  of  Zenayi  some  distance  to  the  left,  beneath  the 
shade  of  a  cluster  of  orange-trees,  where  he  had  seated  himself 
to  look  upon  the  plain  which  spread  far  away  towards  the 
mountains,  the  blue  dome  of  heaven  rising  like  a  pavilion 
above  him.  He  knew  they  would  all  return  to  him  ere  long, 


214  IRENE. 

and  he  resumed  his  reverie.  His  thoughts  wandered  on  and 
on,  beyond  the  green  meadow  and  far  across  the  Caspian  in 
the  distance.  There  over  the  waters  directly  to  the  east  lay 
Toorkomania,  bordering  on  that  sea.  There  had  he  by  one 
energetic  campaign  won  eminence  in  his  profession.  He  had 
there  arisen  like  a  meteor  to  the  uplifted  eyes  of  a  nation. 
He  had  there  immortalized  his  name  in  Persian  annals.  Was 
he  satisfied  with  fame?  He  asked  himself  this  question,  now, 
seated  alone.  Would  any  height  of  military  command  ever 
satisfy  that  yearning  which  strengthened  with  every  new  acqui 
sition,  with  every  new  post  of  honor  ?  The  Ghebre  had  told 
him  over  and  over  again  that  a  man's  only  happiness  on  earth 
arose  from  the  consciousness  that  his  efforts,  his  hazards,  his 
sufferings  were  accomplishing  ends  which  would  render  hu 
manity  happier  and  better ;  that  an  etire  abnegation  of  self 
for  the  purpose  of  rendering  others  happy  was  the  true  philoso 
phy  of  life.  Was  this  true  ?  Had  that  marvellous  sphinx  of 
Persia,  from  his  immense  erudition,  his  profound  readings  in 
history,  deduced  the  real  secret  of  happiness  ?  Sometimes  the 
ambitious  soldier  fancied  that  the  Ghebre  was  right ;  that 
power,  fame,  rank  had  no  essence  of  joy  within  themselves,  but 
derived  their  sole  value  from  the  consciousness  in  a  man's  soul 
that  he  was  using  them  to  make  others  smile  and  be  at  peace. 
He  was  now  one  of  Persia's  favorite  commanders.  The  suc 
cess  which  had  crowned  his  efforts  was  due  in  part  to  his  secret 
appropriation  of  some  of  the  hidden  treasure  to  the  perfect 
equipment  of  his  troops  and  to  their  better  arming  with  mod 
ern  improved  weapons  of  war.  Their  saddles,  sabres,  pistols, 
lances  had  been  imported  through  the  port  of  Balfurosh  from 
European  factories  by  the  medium  of  his  paid  secret  agents. 
The  entire  expense  had  been  borne  by  himself  out  of  the  se 
cret  treasury.  Had  this  sacrifice  of  his  treasure  been  made  for 
himself  or  for  Persia  ?  Was  it  to  further  his  own  ascent  of  the 
ladder  of  fame,  or  was  it  to  render  the  Persian  people  happier 
by  securing  to  them  what  was  their  right  ?  Was  it  to  shield 
the  Persians  from  plunder  and  disgrace,  or  was  it  to  render 
clearer  to  men  the  military  superiority  of  General  Alfonso  De- 
baena,  that  they  might  the  more  readily  assent  to  his  clutching 
of  power  and  be  ready  to  submit  to  his  future  ambitious  as 
sumptions  ?  Sometimes  he  believed  that  he  was  disinterested 
as  the  Ghebre  would  have  him  to  be.  And  when  that  impres 
sion  took  firm  hold  of  him  there  was  an  exultation  in  him  that 
thrilled  heart  and  brain.  Upon  the  earth  his  feet  seemed  to 


IRENE.  215 

tread  with  a  more  kingly  elasticity,  and  he  warmed  with  the 
thought  that  the  Ruler  of  all  things  was  pleased  with  his  life 
because  it  was  devoted  to  the  good  of  the  Creator's  children. 
This  feeling,  while  it  lasted,  seemed  to  bring  him  a  vast  exulta 
tion,  a  wonderful  satisfaction,  and  he  earnestly  desired  that  this 
sublime  joy  might  continue.  It  seemed  to  bring  him  nearer  to 
Zenayi,  to  make  him  worthy  of  that  great  patriot's  esteem. 
The  truth  was  that  a  noble  being  was  influencing  a  spirited, 
generous  heart  by  contact  and  by  example.  The  power  of 
man  over  man  arising  from  mere  contact  and  example  is  one 
of  the  unfathomable  mysteries  of  creation.  A  bad,  unprinci 
pled  man  daily,  in  the  experience  of  mortals,  leads  the  naturally 
generous,  impulsive,  noble-hearted  to  such  familiarity  with  evil 
thoughts  and  words  that  they  do  to-day  what  yesterday  they 
would  have  revolted  from.  Zenayi's  atmosphere  was  an  atmos 
phere  of  grandeur,  of  heroism,  of  self-denial.  It  was  working, 
had  always  worked  good  for  this  noble-hearted,  ambitious,  fiery 
Alfonso  Debaena.  Intensely  aspiring,  the  soldier  still  could 
not  shake  off  this  grand  influence. 

In  the  midst  of  dreams  of  armies,  palaces,  power  and  glory, 
a  vision  or  suggestion  of  something  grander  than  them  all  had 
been  placed  before  the  heroic  youth  and  the  victorious  com 
mander.  Could  he  with  his  great  soul  and  his  towering  ambi 
tion  stop  short  of  the  highest  pinnacle?  It  was  a  grand  strug 
gle,  a  superb  conception  of  the  venerable  Ghebre  to  place  before 
Debaena  the  choice  of  the  world  or  of  something  in  the  world  but 
loftier  than  the  world.  It  waked  a  great  soul  up  to  reflection. 
"I  shall  go  to  the  top  if  I  live"  said  the  convalescent  soldier 
to  himself  by  the  Caspian.  "  But  if  I  gain  all  power  that 
soldiers  ever  gain  and  yet  lose  that  mysterious  something  which 
is  above  armies  and  their  commanders,  and  which  is  in  the 
growth  of  the  soul  itself,  what  have  I  to  boast  of?  I  crave 
power,  but  I  must  attain  the  greatness  which  the  Ghebre 
believes  me  capable  of.  I  must  have  the  highest  or  none." 

In  the  midst  of  his  reverie  the  trio  returned  to  him,  and  he 
found  himself  attended  also  by  two  slaves  with  white  dresses 
and  scarlet  turbans,  who  had  brought  with  them  silver  waiters 
loaded  with  viands  for  a  repast  under  the  trees.  They  placed 
these  upon  the  grass,  where  the  officer  was  seated  on  a  Kho- 
rassan  rug.  Similar  seats  were  spread  for  the  others,  and  the 
whole  party  were  soon  sitting  at  ease  in  the  fashion  of  the  East, 
and  eating  from  the  china  bowls  on  the  waiters,  with  the  spring 
bubbling  beside  them.  The  females,  being  strict  Moharnme- 


2l6  IRENE. 

. 

dans,  refrained  from  the  use  of  the  wines.  But  the  officer  was 
not  debarred  from  this  luxury,  being  rather  enjoined  to  use 
them  by  his  surgeon.  The  Ghebre  was  a  fearless  opponent  ol 
the  faith  of  Mahomet,  and  praised  the  wines  in  his  apprecia 
tive  way,  offering  during  the  repast  more  interesting  information 
upon  the  fruit  of  the  vine  in  all  lands  than  the  others  could  have 
dreamed  the  subject  possessed.  The  elegant  meal  spread  in 
the  shade  of  the  drooping  willows  was  likely  to  tempt  even  the 
palate  of  a  poor,  wasted  soldier,  debarred  so  many  months  from 
the  exercise  of  his  limbs  when  he  had  all  his  life  been  a  marvel 
of  activity.  There  was  lamb,  fed  on  the  aromatic  slopes  of  the 
mountains,  fish  from  the  Caspian  port  of  Astrabad,  and  wild 
honey  from  the  hollow  of  some  ancient  oak  on  the  crescent  of 
mountains  which  shut  in  the  southern  shores  of  the  Caspian. 
In  green  baskets  skilfully  made  from  the  leaves  of  the  cactus, 
were  the  dates  of  Dalaki,  the  apricots  of  Armenia  and  the  pis 
tachio  nuts  of  Aleppo.  The  golden  wine  of  Lebanon,  the  fra 
grant  juice  of  vineyards  in  the  far-off  islands  of  the  Cyprian  Sea, 
the  wine  of  Shiraz  extolled  by  the  Persian  poets,  and  the  wine 
from  the  hills  of  Engaddi,  in  stone  jars,  were  there  in  profusion, 
and  testified  at  once  to  the  affluence  of  the  noble  Persian  who 
owned  the  estate,  and  his  appreciation  of  what  was  due  to  his 
country's  defender  in  his  hour  of  suffering.  The  transcendent 
personal  heroism  of  Alfonso  Debaena,  and  the  martial  qualities 
by  which  he  was  pre-eminently  distinguished,  had  won  the  ad 
miration  of  the  noblest  and  best  of  the  chivalry  of  Persia. 
He  was  held  now,  in  this  day  of  agony  for  the  patriotic,  second 
only  to  the  people's  favorite,  Abbas  Mirza.  At  evening,  in  the 
skirt  of  the  woods  or  in  the  deep  ravine,  whilst  the  camels 
drank  together  at  the  lonely  spring,  even  the  common  muleteers 
and  grooms  of  the  horses,  who,  in  Persia  salute  the  passer-by 
with  exquisite  quotations  from  Ferdusi  or  verses  from  Hafiz, 
had  caught  up  snatches  of  the  songs  composed  by  the  soldiers 
in  camp,  in  honor  of  Debaena,  the  terrible  rider  and  sabrcur, 
and  they  sang  them  to  the  evening  stars  with  hearts  trembling 
for  the  future  of  their  beloved  flowery  land.  And  in  all  the 
anderoons  of  the  empire  of  Iran,  the  beautiful  wives  and  maidens 
sang  triumphantly  of  their  hero  and  his  Azrail,  the  angel  of  death, 
who  flew  as  a  huge  bird  above  him  to  foreshadow  the  fate  of 
the  Muscovite  invaders  who  crossed  his  path. 

What  wonder  then  that  the  aged  mother  of  sons  slain  by 
Russians  in  1813,  and  of  sons  now  in  arms  against  the  same 
detested  foe,  should  gaze  with  tenderness  and  pride  upon  the 


IRENE.  217 

handsome  soldier  before  her,  from  whose  recovery  Persia  had 
the  right  to  expect  so  much?  What  wonder  that  the  large 
dark  eyes  of  the  maid  should  linger  with  interest  upon  that 
face,  and  her  heart  listen  for  the  tones  of  that  voice  which  had 
led  her  brother,  the  yuzbashi,  on  over  the  dead  and  the  dying, 
to  Persia's  victory  ?  The  Bakhtiaris,  the  Turcomans,  the  Cos 
sacks,  the  Caucasian  dragoons,  and  the  Russian  regular  horse, 
the  cuirassiers  and  cavalry  of  the  line,  were  all  the  same  to 
Debaena,  and  where  he  charged  their  equal  in  numbers  they 
all  inevitably  went  down,  or  scattered  before  him.  So  rapid 
and  furious  was  his  onset,  so  overwhelming  the  force  and 
weight  of  the  shock  he  centred  at  a  single  point,  that  nothing 
had  yet  been  able  to  endure  it.  What  wonder,  then,  that  the 
khan's  daughter,  reared  in  seclusion,  should  become  intensely 
absorbed  in  this  gallant  soldier  of  her  country,  who  had  been 
sent  to  her  to  be  nursed,  and  restored  to  usefulness?  Over  his 
couch  she  had  leaned  and  soothed  the  fevered  head,  the  lips 
compressed  in  pain  had  arrested  her  gazelle  eyes  in  pity,  and 
the  reviving  strength  and  elasticity  of  the  hero's  spirits  had 
filled  her  with  patriotic  joy  ;  and  now,  in  this  moment  of  festive 
enjoyment,  when  his  old  fascination  of  manner  and  of  tone 
had  returned  upon  him,  and  the  balmy  May  was  opening  the 
gates  of  a  new  life  to  him  as  he  sat  there  upon  the  Khorassan 
rug  in  the  splendor  of  his  returning  beauty,  it  was  not  possible 
that  this  lovely  girl  could  see  him  suddenly  perish  when  her 
own  life  could  avert  the  blow.  And  so,  in  the  midst  of  hilarity 
and  feasting,  they  saw  her  by  a  spasmodic  motion  of  her  fair 
hand,  strike  away  from  Debaena  the  head  of  a  venomous  ser 
pent  that  had  raised  to  bury  its  fangs  in  his  arm.  Quickness 
could  alone  have  saved  her  country's  hero,  but  the  fangs  pene 
trated  her  o\vn  flesh,  and  with  the  deadly  reptile  clinging  to  her 
hand,  she  sprang  to  her  feet,  and  carried  the  serpent  far  away 
from  him.  It  was  as  true  a  heroism  for  Persia  as  the  tented 
field  or  reckless  battle  charge  ever  knew.  Alas  !  for  the  khan's 
daughter,  beautiful  as  Psyche,  heroic  as  Leoena  of  the  Acrop 
olis  !  She  shook  the  reptile  from  her  hand,  and  the  whiteness 
of  death  came  over  her ;  too  well  she  knew  her  fate.  In  the 
horror  of  the  scene  one  alone  was  calm.  Zcnayi.  Rumor  had 
it  that  this  mysterious  being  knew  everything.  Fortunately  for 
this  lovely  heroine,  the  Ghebre  was  ever  an  observer  of  what 
Ormuzd  had  planted  around  him.  As  he  sat  a  short  time 
before  the  repast,  beneath  the  shade  of  a  cluster  of  orange 
trees,  he  detected  near  him  the  plant,  uvularia  grandiflora.  It 
10 


2 1 8  IRENE. 

bore  a  general  resemblance  to  "  Solomon's  seal."  The  height 
of  the  wonderful  plant  was  two  feet,  leaves  alternate,  smooth 
and  perforated  by  the  stem,  which  was  forked  near  the  top. 
This  plant,  early  in  May,  bears  two  drooping  liliaceous  yellow 
flowers.  It  was  a  labor  of  love  for  this  lover  of  humanity  to 
hasten  to  the  spot  and  pluck  up  the  plant  by  the  roots.  He 
followed  the  poor  girl  as  they  bore  her  to  the  house,  and  imme 
diately  gave  her  a  decoction  of  the  roots  and  leaves.  Then  he 
chewed  some  of  the  roots  and  leaves,  and  bound  them  upon 
the  wound  made  by  the  fangs ;  the  girl  recovered  with  no  other 
remedy.  The  serpent  was  the  deadliest  in  all  Persia;  but  Ze- 
nayi,  with  his  shield  of  plants,  was  a  match  for  the  most  veno 
mous  reptiles  of  both  hemispheres.  He  smiled  the  sweetest  of 
smiles  when  the  khan's  daughter  revived,  and  whispered,  as  he 
turned  to  Debaena,  "We  must  look  to  our  heroic  laurels,  boy ; 
two  Persian  girls  are  already  ahead  of  us." 

As  the  two  walked  together  in  the  charbagh,  later  in  the 
day,  the  Ghebre,  pointing  away  to  a  low  ledge  of  rocks  on  the 
shore  of  the  Caspian,  said  to  his  companion  : 

"  In  the  shelter  of  that  ledge  I  have  made  an  appointment 
for  you  to  meet  and  consult  with  a  spy,  sent  into  our  lines  by 
the  enemy  ;  the  spy  is  really  acting  in  our  interest,  and  it  is 
desirable  that  you  should  know  what  is  transpiring  in  the 
Russian  camp ;  ponder  well  what  you  hear,  for  it  requires  cau 
tion  and  great  ill-liberation  to  act  wisely  in  this  matter.  You 
will  find  Al-Borak  secured  to  this  willow  to-morrow  night,  and 
saddled.  Ride  at  the  hour  of  eight  to  the  ledge,  and  clap 
your  hands  thrice  ;  if  you  hear  in  response  the  word  "  Zcnayi" 
all  is  well ;  if  not,  return." 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

(HE  hush  of  the  night,  the  glory  of  the  full  Oriental 
moon,  the  music  of  the  low,  gentle  waves  plashing 
upon  the  pebbly  shore  of  the  Caspian,  and  the  odor  of 
plants,  floating  upon  the  warm  air  of  the  May  evening, 
lulled  the  senses  of  the  convalescent  soldier  as  he  rode  slowly 
on  to  the  place  of  the  secret  interview.  The  hoofs  of  Al-Borak, 
crunching  the  pebbles  of  the  beach,  as  he  skirted  the  sea,  caused 


IRENE.  219 

the  only  discordant  notes  to  that  dream  of  harmony.  Debaena 
checked  his  steed,  at  length,  and  dismounting  secured  him  to  a 
dead  tree  which  had  floated  ashore  ;  then  he  paced  slowly  on 
alone,  unwilling  to  listen  to  aught  discordant  in  that  scene  of 
enchantment  which  lured  him  on.  In  a  few  minutes  his  steed 
was  hidden  from  his  view  by  an  interposing  angle  of  rock,  and 
the  officer  found  himself  near  to  the  low  ledge  the  Ghebre  had 
indicated  as  the  place  of  interview.  No  human  being  was  in 
sight,  but  shadows  amid  the  pile  of  rocks  doubtless  concealed 
the  figure  of  the  Russian  spy  who  awaited  him.  As  he  ad 
vanced  along  the  shore,  he  heard  voices  between  the  sea  and  a 
row  of  rocks  which  shut  him  out  for  a  moment  from  a  view  of 
the  water ;  he  started  at  the  sound,  and  laid  his  hand  upon  the 
hilt  of  his  sabre.  The  strangers  were  conversing  in  the  Russian 
dialect.  He  understood  it  perfectly,  and  stopped  to  listen  to 
the  discourse  of  the  foe ;  he  soon  discovered  that  they  were 
sailors  discussing  the  peculiarities  of  the  coast ;  they  were 
hidden  from  him,  as  he  passed  behind  the  rocks,  and  he  feared 
to  approach  them  any  nearer.  His  suspicions  were  aroused  ; 
he  moved  on  cautiously  and  stealthily,  until  he  reached  the 
ledge  indicated  by  the  Ghebre ;  all  was  distinct  before  him 
now  in  the  moonlight,  save  only  the  extreme  end  of  the  rocks 
where  they  seemed  to  sink  to  the  level  of  the  sands  of  the 
beach.  Finding  himself  far  enough  away  from  the  Russian 
sailors  to  be  unheard,  he  clapped  his  hands  thrice.  The 
name  of  the  Ghebre  was  called  out  to  him  in  return  from  the 
end  of  the  ledge  in  familiar  accent ;  he  ^advanced  in  surprise, 
and  there  beheld,  seated  on  the  rocks  on  the  Caspian  shore, 
Irene. 

"Coadjutor!"  he  exclaimed,  in  astonished  delight,  as  the 
matchless  loveliness  of  the  Persian  heroine  greeted  his  sight. 

"  Alfonso  Debaena,"  was  the  response,  as  she  arose  from  her 
reclining  posture,  between  two  rocks,  over  one  of  which  her 
arm  and  hand  had  hung  gracefully  as  she  sat  at  ease.  "  Praise 
be  to  Allah  for  this  moment ;  never  did  the  damned  know  a 
greater  wall  of  lAl-Ardf  between  them  and  Paradise  than  the 
distance  which  has  parted  me  from  your  hero-face." 

"  Irene,"  exclaimed  the  soldier  of  Persia,  as  he  bent  rever 
ently  on  one  knee,  and  pressed  his  lips  to  the  fair  hand  she  ex 
tended  to  him  in  greeting,  "  I  am  not  worthy  to  touch  your 
hand  ;  you  are  the  star  of  Persia  to  us  all ;  and  as  tlv  night  of 
Iran  deepens,  and  her  hour  of  gloom  comes  on,  we  look  up  to 
you,  for  your  cheering  light  never  fails  ;  you  are  bright  and 


220  IRENE. 

beautiful  above  us  when  defeat  and  slaughter  cnish  us  to  the 
earth.  Oh,  Eternal  Creator  and  Ruler  of  men,  give  us  fortitude 
to  struggle  and  hope  on  like  COADJUTOR." 

She  raised  him  from  his  kneeling  posture  as  he  trembled 
with  emotion,  and  bade  him  be  seated  beside  her,  as  she 
dropped  again  to  her  seat  between  the  rocks.  The  moonlight 
was  full  in  her  face  as  she  regarded  him,  and  he  thought  her 
never  so  beautiful  as  now.  Her  dark  eyes  so  full  of  tender 
light  were  studying  him.  The  face  of  the  martyr  to  Persia  was 
holy  in  the  flood  of  the  moonlight.  The  entirety  of  her  offer 
ing  to  her  country  had  given  her  a  radiant  refinement  of  beauty 
which  had  stamped  itself  upon  her  features  in  unmistakable 
lines.  It  had  given  her  an  exalted  look,  and  he  remarked  it  to 
her  in  warm,  earnest  words. 

"  Happy  am  I,  indeed,"  was  her  response,  "  if  the  glory  of 
my  Persia  is  reflected  ever  so  feebly  in  my  face.  My  heart  is 
warmed  for  my  country,  and  it  is  not  strange  that  that  warmth 
should  find  its  way  to  my  face  when,  for  the  first  time,  I  can 
freely  speak  to  a  soldier  of  Persia.  Ah!  the  bitterness  of 
this  separation  from  my  sunny  land  and  the  wild  exultation  with 
which  this  night  I  planted  my  feet  again  upon  her  soil.  I  have 
waited  here  for  you,  General  Debaena,  and  breathed  the  per 
fumes  of  those  flowers  yonder  as  they  came  to  me  in  greeting, 
until  my  heart  was  full  to  suffocation  with  rapture.  Oh  !  my 
Persia,  how  I  love  you  !  How  light  a  task  it  is  to  endure  hard 
ship  and  pain  for  you  !  " 

"  Noble  girl,"  was  the  response,  "  your  devotion,  your  skill, 
your  valuable  information  are  appreciated  at  headquarters. 
Abbas  Mirza  desired  me  if  ever  you  came  within  the  lines  to 
conduct  you  to  his  pavilion,  that  he  might  in  person  express  his 
admiration  at  your  noble  conduct,  and  thank  you  in  the  name 
of  IVrsia." 

"  Never,"  was  the  startling  response. 

"  What  can  you  mean,  I  rene  ?  I  have  heard  you  express 
unbounded  enthusiasm  for  the  Prince  Royal." 

"  Never,  never  will  I  face  him  in  his  camp,"  she  replied,  with 
emotion.  "  You  do  not  know  my  relations  with  the  Crown 
Prince,  or  you  would  never  speak  of  this  again.  I  cannot  tell 
you  now  who  I  am.  My  identity  is  merged  in  the  cause  of 
Persia.  If  we  both  live  to  the  end  of  this  war  you  will  know 
my  history :  but  never,  by  word  or  suggestion,  allow  the  Prince 
Royal  to  expect  he  will  ever  encounter  me.  He  knows  me 


IRENE.  221 

only  as  Coadjutor.  So  let  it  remain  to  the  end.  But  my  time 
is  short  here.  The  business  I  have  with  you  is  important." 

"  Go  on,  then,"  said  the  officer. 

"You  remember  your  promise,  General  Debaena,  in  your 
letter?" 

"  To  place  myself  or  my  cavalry  in  positions  of  hazard  when 
you  demanded  it  ?  " 

"  The  same,  brave  soldier.  How  much  better  you  remem 
ber  promises  than  most  men.  I  have  come  to  demand  the 
fulfillment  of  that  promise  as  regards  yourself  alone." 

"  You  will  find  me  truthful,  Irene  ;  your  judgment  I  will 
trust." 

"  I  was  sure  of  it,  General  Debaena.  But  my  demand  will 
startle  you.  You  must  go  with  me  within  the  Russian  lines." 

"  A  spy  ?  "  exclaimed  the  officer. 

"  No,  no,  I  do  not  demand  that.  You  must  die  by  the  lance 
or  sabre.  Allah  has  qualified  you  for  that,  and  your  sword  is 
too  valuable  to  Persia.  But  in  fulfillment  of  your  promise  you 
must  go  with  me." 

"  How  ?  "  was  his  response. 

"As  a  prisoner  entrapped.  I  have  given  my  word  to  Gen 
eral  Yermoloff  that  if  he  would  send  me  as  a  spy  within  the 
Persian  lines  I  would  not  only  bring  him  information,  but  you 
also  as  a  prisoner." 

"  And  is  not  my  sword  valuable  to  Persia  ? "  inquired  the 
amazed  commander  of  horse. 

"  Of  the  first  importance  is  your  sword,  General  Debaena, 
and  you  know  it.  But  it  is  of  vast  importance  to  the  armies 
of  my  country  that  I  should  send  them  the  highest  infor 
mation.  I  must  convince  Yermoloff  of  the  value  of  my  ser 
vices,  that  I  may  secure  more  confidence  for  myself  and  have 
access  to  the  adjutant-general  of  his  army.  I  must  have  their 
utmost  confidence,  and  thus  shall  I  send  to  Persia  information 
which  will  thwart  their  best-laid  plans.  To  be  a  great  schemer 
for  them  I  must  bring  them  the  best  sabre  in  the  Persian  army. 
Listen  to  me  :  I  am  only  a  woman,  but  I  have  contrived  to  be 
witch  that  old  Yermoloff  till  he  scarce  knows  whether  he  stands 
on  his  head  or  his  heels.  He  is  a  splendid  officer,  but  he  is 
weak  where  a  woman  is  concerned.  He  thinks  I  have  great 
abilities  and  he  trusts  me.  But  his  adjutant-general  laughs 
at  his  fondness  for  me,  and  is  so  reticent  that  I  might  as 
well  attempt  to  pump  intelligence  of  army  movements  from 
a  stone.  Give  into  my  hands,  General  Debaena,  but  the 


power  to  say  to  the  adjutant-general,  '  Here  are  my  prac 
tical  services.  Here  are  posted  such  and  surh  regiments  of 
the  Persians.  There  is  a  battery  which  the  Cossacks  may  sur 
prise.'  Do  you  arrange  for  UK-,  General  Debaena,  to  post 
troops  just  long  enough  at  places  to  establish  my  veracity  and 
then  withdraw  them  to  safety  just  in  the  nick  of  time,  and  you 
wilL  see  Coadjutor  forward  you  in  cipher  information  of  the 
Muscovite  movements  which  will  insure  you  victory.  But 
first  of  all  allow  my  Russian  sailors  yonder  to  seize  you  and 
carry  you  to  Titlis.  Rest  assured  that  I  have  the  means  to  aid 
your  escape  within  two  days.  Then  will  the  Georgian  girl, 
Yermoloff  s  secretary,  rise  to  unbounded  confidence  at  head 
quarters,  and  I  shall  have  my  hand  upon  the  vitals  of  our 
accursed  enemy.  Trust  me,  trust  me  this  once,  and  I  shall 
save  Persia." 

Seeing  that  he  hesitated  to  reply,  she  continued : 

"  Your  escape  is  beyond  question.  A  fool  on  the  staff  of 
Yermoloff  has  charge  of  the  prisoners.  He  is  so  silly  about 
me  that  he  will  dance  for  joy  if  I  condescend  to  ask  him  a 
favor.  He  is  a  nobleman's  son  and  ranks  as  a  pulkoonick. 
Oh !  he  is  such  a  goose,  and  they  have  decorated  him  with 
Alexander's  badge  of  St.  George.  Why  this  has  been  given 
him,  the  wisdom  of  Allah  alone  can  determine.  Why,  (General 
Debaena,  I  can  wheedle  this  man's  prison  keys  out  of  his  hands. 
Come  with  me  to  Tiflis;  you  will  soon  escape,  and  then 
Coadjutor  will  be  so  established  at  headquarters  that  she  cannot 
be  shaken  off.  They  need  good  spies :  Yermoloff  told  me  that, 
and  then  I  persuaded  them  to  send  me.  Come  with  me  and  I 
assure  you  1  will  in  the  end  place  Muscovites  in  such  positions 
that  your  cavalry  will  reap  a  harvest." 

"  I  have  given  you  my  promise,  brave  girl.  I  will  not  break 
it.  Does  the  Ghebre  approve  of  this  ?  " 

"Perfectly,"  was  the  response. 

••  And  would  you  have  yonder  wretches  seize  me  to-night  ?  " 
inquired  Debaena. 

"  No ;  return  to  the  Ghebre  and  dictate  orders  to  your  offi 
cers  to  dispose  of  their  troops  as  1  have  marked  down  for  you 
here."  She  gave  him  a  map  of  the  Araxes  valley  with  the  posts 
ho  should  establish,  and  the  length  of  time  that  he  should  retain 
them,  and  then  withdraw  the  cavalry  in  time  to  escape  cap 
ture.  She  named  to  him  the  posts  she  had  arranged. 

"  The  Ghebre  has  aided  you  in  these  details,"  said  the 
amazed  officer. 


IRENE.  22} 

"  Certainly.     Zenayi  knows  everything,"  was  her  reply. 

"  I  will  allow  myself  to  be  seized  by  your  deluded  Russians," 
he  said  ;  "  do  with  me  as  you  like.  After  I  have  dispatched 
my  orders  to  my  officers,  what  then  ?  " 

"Then  return  here  to-morrow  night  and  make  a  show  of 
resistance  when  my  sailors  spring  upon  you.  The  officer  in 
command  of  the  boat  on  the  shore  yonder  knows  that  I  have 
come  here  to  entrap  an  officer  of  the  Persian  army.  He  will  be 
astounded  when  he  learns  who  you  are.  Your  name  and  exploits 
are  in  every  Muscovite's  mouth.  I  will  make  some  excuse  to 
him  for  the  delay,  and  the  boat  will  hover  on  the  coast  until 
to-morrow  night.  Do  not  fail  me ;  everything  depends  upon  my 
giving  a  good  account  of  myself  at  headquarters.  But  let  me 
once  have  access  to  the  adjutant-general's  confidence  and  you 
all  will  find  Coadjutor  of  some  real  service  to  you  then." 

"  Did  you  deliver  my  thanks,  Irene,  to  the  Circassian  scout 
who  was  the  cause  of  my  victory  over  the  Russians  at  the 
defiles  beyond  Elizabethpol?" 

Coadjutor  laughed  her  merriest  laugh  at  this  inquiry.  Then 
she  said  : 

"Your  generalship  was  the  cause  of  that  victory." 

"No,  Irene,  that  Circassian  is  entitled  to  the  credit.  He 
should  receive  a  sword  at  least  from  the  Shah  after  the  close 
of  the  war." 

"  They  never  give  swords  of  honor  to  women,  General  De- 
baena." 

"  The  Circassian  scout  a  woman  /  Impossible  ! "  exclaimed 
her  companion. 

"  Everything  is  possible  in  war,  General  Debaena,  to  those 
who  have  nerve,  The  Circassian  is  a  woman,  and  feels  flat 
tered  by  your  high  commendation." 

"  Who  is  she  ?     You  amaze  me,"  said  the  officer. 

"  Has  not  Zenayi  told  you  ?  " 

"  Never.  The  Ghebre  does  not  tell  me  his  whole  mind  at 
any  time." 

"  I  will  tell  you,  General  Debaena,  provided  you  will  not 
name  her  to  any  one." 

"  I  will  never  speak  of  her,  then,"  said  Debaena,  "  unless  to 
you." 

"  The  Circassian  scout  is  Coadjutor." 

"  You  I  Irene!  I  am  amazed.  You  have  made  my  for 
tunes  so  far  as  Abbas  Mirza  is  concerned.  You  the  Circas 
sian  ?  " 


224  IRENE. 

"I  am  or  was  the  Circassian  before  I  was  promoted -to 
YermolofTs  table.  He  took  me  from  the  hospital,  and  does 
not  know  that  I  was  the  scout  who  was  mss/fdby  the  Persians 
entering  both  defiles.  Ha  !  ha  !  how  my  heart  throbbed  when 
your  gallant  band  broke  into  their  camp.  I  watt  lied  you  all 
in  the  fight.  1  was  hidden  in  the  woods,  and  at  every  charge 
of  your  horse  my  blood  warmed.  1  saw  the  standard  of  my 
country  fall,  then  rise  again,  caught  up  by  another  Persian 
hand,  and  my  heart  went  up  in  gratitude  to  Allah.  Then 
came  the  last  fearful,  madcap  charge  into  the  fort,  right  into 
the  blaze  of  the  cannon  ;  I  gasped  for  breath,  holding  on  to  a 
tree  for  support.  I  knew  you  could  not  escape  from  that  terri 
ble  fire  ;  then  came  the  smoke  blowing  over  to  the  woods.  I 
could  see  none  of  you.  I  clung  there  half  dead  with  anguish 
and  terror  and  despair.  Then  the  smoke  lifted  and  curled 
away.  There  was  silence.  The  guns  ceased.  I  listened  with 
beating  heart.  Then  the  cheers  burst  forth.  Oh !  Allah. 
They  were  Persian  cheers,  my  countrymen,  my  Persia.  Then 
I  knelt  down  by  the  tree  and  prayed  for  Debaena,  my  hero, 
my  beloved  Persia's  hero.  Then,  praise  to  Allah  !  I  saw  Al- 
Borak  coming.  I  knew  his  stride.  I  knew  his  rider.  I  fell 
on  my  face  and  wept,  oh  !  such  tears  of  joy.  The  whole  of 
my  powers  of  joy  seemed  to  centre  in  that  thrill  of  that  mo 
ment  when  I  knew  you  were  safe.  May  Allah  bless  you 
where  you  ride,  and  deal  such  terrible  death  for  Persia.  Don't 
interrupt  me  now.  Let  me  speak  and  unburden  my  heart.  I 
have  for  months  lain  with  a  gag  on  my  lips  and  an  iron  weight 
on  my  heart  in  the  camp  of  our  deadly  enemies.  I  have 
forced  myself  to  smile  when  my  heart  was  breaking  over  our 
disasters.  I  had  to  sing  for  joy  when  those  wretches  triumphed 
over  my  countrymen.  I  had  to  look  dejected  when  Persia 
won  glorious  advantages  over  the  Muscovites.  Oh !  General 
Debaena,  no  tongue  can  tell  my  anguish  when  I  heard  the 
tramp,  tramp,  tramp,  of  reinforcements  passing  under  my  win 
dow  at  Tiilis  and  moving  on  towards  Abbas  Mir/a,  and  I  had 
no  means  of  counting  them  and  no  way  of  sending  a  nv 
ger  to  warn  him  of  his  danger.  At  all  hours  of  the  night  thou 
sands  upon  thousands  tramped  by.  I  thought  that  dull,  heavy 
tramp,  tramp,  tramp  would  never  cease.  Kvery  tramp  seemed 
to  fall  upon  my  heart  and  upon  the  grave  of  my  country.  And 
I  would  lean  upon  my  window  in  the  dull  starlight  and  see  the 
dark,  ominous  mass  moving  on  solemnly  towards  Persia,  until 
I  was  ready  to  scream  in  agony  because  I  had  no  power  to 


IRENE.  22$ 

warn  or  to  help.  But  then  I  learned  to  distinguish  the  differ 
ent  arms  of  their  service,  and  I  listened  to  every  word  that  fell 
from  the  lips  of  the  men  on  Yermoloff  s  staff.  They  danced 
attendance  upon  me  and  I  smiled  upon  them,  and  jested  with 
them  about  their  army,  and  flattered  them,  until  I  caught  up 
precious  words  which  they  had  heard  at  headquarters,  words 
of  intended  movements,  of  numbers  marching  to  particular 
points,  and  I  learned  to  distinguish  vital  information  from 
trivial  details  until  I  knew  what  my  Persian  commanders 
craved  to  know.  And  when  at  last  I  was  able  to  glean  vital 
intelligence  and  send  it  by  our  agents  through  the  lines,  my 
whole  girl's  nature  seemed  to  expand,  to  grow  higher,  better, 
brighter,  at  the  thought  that  /was  serving  Persia  and  serving 
her  with  vital  news,  vital  to  her  salvation.  And  now  I  fear 
nothing.  I  will  go  anywher;,  will  wring  out  of  their  confi 
dence  and  their  gallantry  to  me  the  life  of  my  country." 

"  Yes !  and  be  hanged  for  it  at  last  like  a  dog,"  exclaimed 
Debaena. 

"  Hush  !  the  death  of  a  dog  is  a  death  of  glory  to  one  who 
loves  Persia  as  I  love  it.  Strangle  me  with  a  rope  for  my  ser 
vice  to  my  country,  and  I  will  kiss  that  rope  as  the  pilgrims 
reverently  kiss  the  black  stone  of  Al-Caaba." 

"  Allah  give  you  a  safe  retreat  from  the  Muscovite  camp  at 
last,"  said  Debaena.  "  But  I  tremble  for  you  at  the  same  in 
stant  that  I  am  filled  with  admiration  for  you.  Noble  girl ! 
you  *have  served  your  country  with  the  most  valuable  service 
that  a  hitman  being  could  render.  But  tell  me  of  a  matter 
which  you  have  doubtless  forgotten.  Zenayi  hinted  to  me  that 
something  was  transpiring  in  the  Russian  camp  which  I  should 
know." 

"  I  have  not  forgotten  it,  General  Debaena.  Only  my 
heart  needed  an  outlet  after  my  forced  silence  so  long  among 
our  foes.  I  have  spoken  to  you  Persian  words.  My  whole 
life  before  this  night  has  been  Russian.  I  have  identified  my 
self  with  them  and  their  thoughts  for  months  that  I  might  the 
better  slay  them  in  the  end.  If  they  triumph,  my  Persia  will 
be  a  hall  of  Eblis.  Hence  I  cling  close  to  the  heart  of  Russia 
that  I  may  stab  it  at  last,  that  my  country  may  live.  I  feel 
relieved  now  since  I  have  spoken  my  heart  to  my  hero.  The 
matter  to  which  Zenayi  referred  is  mysterious,  but  must  be  ap 
proached  cautiously.  I  have  discovered  at  headquarters  that 
some  officer  of  the  first  Tabreez  regiment  of  Abbas  Mirza's 
army  is  corresponding  with  the  Russians.  That  regiment  is 
10* 


226  IRENE. 

stationed  at  the  fortress  of  Abbas  Abad.  You  know  how 
valuable  that  fortress  is  to  Persia.  If  it  is  betrayed  into  the 
hands  of  our  foes  or  exposed  to  successful  assault  by  its  weak 
points  being  communicated  to  them,  it  will  be  very  disastrous 
to  our  cause." 

"  Treachery  at  Abbas  Abad ! "  exclaimed  the  commander. 
"  Are  you  certain  of  it  ?  I  would  rather  that  Persia  lost  the 
fortress  of  Erivan  than  Abbas  Abad." 

"So  says  the  Ghebre,"  responded  Irene.  "But  there  is  the 
difficulty.  I  cannot  define  what  the  correspondence  has  been 
or  discover  the  name  of  the  officer  of  the  Tabreez  regiment. 
But  I  overheard  Yermoloff  when  drinking  heavily  with  his 
friend,  and  when  both  were  under  the  influence  of  the  liquor, 
boast  that  he  knew  everything  which  transpired  at  Abbas 
Abad.  An  officer  of  that  Tabreez  regiment  had  opened  a  cor 
respondence  with  him,  he  said,  and  he  boasted  that  he  would 
some  day  surprise  Abbas  Mirza  by  the  facility  with  which  he 
would  march  into  that  fortress." 

After  a  moment  of  troubled  reflection  General  Debaena 
inquired,  "  Has  the  Ghebre  notified  the  Prince  Royal  of  this 
mystery  ?  " 

"He  has,  for  I  wrote  to  him  early  regarding  it.  Abbas 
Mirza  promised  to  move  that  regiment  into  the  field  and  put  a 
detective  officer  into  its  camp.  All  this  has  been  promptly 
attended  to.  But  since  this  change,  I  have  heard  a  staff 
officer  of  Yermoloff  say  that  the  Surhungs  of  Nuckshiwan  were 
writing  to  headquarters  something  about  Abbas  Abad.  To 
this  news  the  Ghebre  answered  me  that  I  must  talk  with  you, 
as  you  knew  the  particulars  of  a  difficulty  in  that  quarter." 

"So  do  I  know,"  exclaimed  Debaena  with  sudden  em 
phasis.  "  I  believe,  moreover,  that  I  can  put  my  hand  upon 
the  very  man  who  is  disaffected.  I  will  probe  this  matter, 
Irene,  rest  assured.  If  the  Surhungs  are  mixed  up  in  the  mat 
ter  I  know  the  traitor." 


IRENE.  227 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

|N  the  right  bank  of  the  Araxes  and  some  sixty  miles 
south-east  from  the  towering  peak  of  Ararat,  stood  the 
Persian  fortress  of  Abbas  Abad.  It  was  defended  by 
twenty-eight  cannon,  was  well  supplied  with  provisions 
and  munitions  of  war,  and  had  a  strong  garrison  of  the  best 
troops  in  the  service  of  the  Shah.  The  governor  of  this  strong 
hold  was  accustomed  during  the  heats  of  summer  to  pitch  his 
tent  outside  of  the  walls  and  toward  the  bank  of  the  river. 
There  being  no  immediate  apprehension  of  an  attack  from  the 
enemy,  whose  lines  were  many  miles  away,  it  was  deemed  per 
fectly  safe  to  allow  the  tent  to  remain  outside  of  the  fortress 
during  the  greater  part  of  each  day.  The  intolerable  heat  of 
Abbas  Abad  drove  the  governor  out  to  this  pavilion  for  fresh 
air  and  repose  several  hours  out  of  the  twenty-four.  Sentinels 
were  stationed  in  every  direction  to  apprise  the  garrison  of  the 
approach  of  danger,  and  thus  the  commander  enjoyed  his 
caleeoon  and  his  shady  retreat  in  perfect  repose,  his  steed  stand 
ing  picketed  near  him.  The  site  selected  for  the  daily  nap  and 
smoke  was  the  depth  of  a  grassy  ravine  in  a  little  grove  of  olives, 
poplars  and  date  trees. 

One  day  the  governor  of  the  fortress  was  reclining  in  this 
pavilion,  smoking  and  reading.  He  was  alone.  The  sentinels 
were  dozing  at  their  posts. 

The  only  sound  that  met  his  ear  was  the  occasional  and  rest 
less  stamping  of  hoofs,  as  his  steed  contended  with  the  swarm 
of  annoying  Hies.  A  letter  was  in  his  hands  which  deeply  in 
terested  him,  though  he  had  already  perused  it  several  times. 
He  crumpled  the  paper  in  his  hands  and  then  sat  looking 
through  the  tent  door  at  the  sky  in  profound  thought.  To  his 
amazement  a  stranger  rose  as  if  from  the  very  ground  and  con 
fronted  him.  He  would  have  given  the  alarm  to  the  sleeping 
sentinel  had  not  the  stranger  entreated  him  to  be  silent. 

"Hush!"  said  the  man,  "  I  come  to  you  from  Yermoloff 
with  a  message.  Look  at  the  mud  upon  me  and  my  torn  gar 
ments.  I  have  worked  my  way  through  the  lines  with  great  dif 
ficulty." 

"  \Vhat  can  the  Muscovite  have  to  say  to  a  faithful  soldier 
of  Persia?"  was  the  stern  response  of  the  governor. 

"  Only  this, "  replied  the  stranger,  producing  a  letter  and  pre- 


228  IREXE. 

senting  it.  "  Yermoloff  says  that  the  governor  of  Abbas  Abad 
should  enjoy  an  easy  mind  regarding  his  correspondence. 
Hence  he  returns  you  your  letter  to  quiet  your  fears,  and  sends 
you  in  advance  part  of  your  promised  reward.  Here  is  a  draft 
upon  the  treasury  of  Russia  for  the  amount,  which  Yerruolon* 
will  quadruple  when  the  business  is  complete.  He  begs  that 
you  will  manifest  equal  courtesy  and  confidence  by  signing 
this  receipt  for  the  amount." 

The  draft  and  receipt  both  were  passed  into  the  hands  of  the 
governor,  who  exclaimed  — 

"  And  who  are  you  ?  " 

"An  officer  of  Yermoloff  s  staff,"  was  the  composed  response. 

"  Why,  the  draft  is  for  more  money  than  I  was  promised  in 
all." 

"  Such  is  the  usual  liberality  of  my  chief,"  was  the  staff  offi 
cer's  reply.  And  then  he  added,  "  Russia  does  nothing  nig 
gardly  by  her  friends  in  need !  " 

The  governor  studied  the  stranger's  countenance,  and  then, 
as  if  reassured  by  the  investigation,  said  — 

"  I  will  sign  the  receipt,  but  fear  to  have  you  carry  it  through 
the  lines.  It  might  cost  me  my  head." 

"No  fear.  Here  is  a  secure  place  between  the  soles  of  my, 
shoe,"  said  the  Russian  officer,  exhibiting  an  ingenious  spring 
which  opened  and  closed  a  recess  in  the  shoe  large  enough  to 
carry  two  or  three  letters. 

The  governor  laughed  at  this  device,  and  turning  to  his  writing 
materials  signed  the  receipt,  which  he  returned  to  the  officer. 

"  What  does  Yermoloff  say,"  he  inquired,  "about  his  capture 
of  our  famous  cavalry  officer  ?  " 

"  General  Dcbaena  has  escaped"  was  the  startling  response. 

"  Great  Allah  ! "  exclaimed  the  governor.  "  Yermoloff  must 
be  insane  to  allow  so  dangerous  a  foe  to  elude  him.  Why  did 
he  not  send  him  to  Russia?  " 

"  He  escaped  when  on  the  road  to  Russia.  He  drugged 
his  sentinels." 

"And  where  is  he  supposed  to  be  now?"  demanded  the 
anxious  governor.  "  Come,  be  seated  beside  me  and  tell  me 
everything.  I  will  pass  you  out  of  the  lines  in  due  time  and 
safely." 

The  staff  officer,  in  his  filthy  disguise,  seated  himself  beside 
the  governor  and  proceeded  to  detail  the  particulars  of  De- 
baena's  escape.  In  the  course  of  this  description  he  took  r.p 
a  military  scarf  from  a  divan  and  passed  it  around  the  neck  of 


IRENE.  229 

the  governor  to  explain  how  the  great  cavalry  officer  had  been 
tied  to  the  neck  of  his  guard.  In  another  instant  the  com 
mander  of  the  fortress  of  Abbas  Abad  was  choked  by  the  scarf 
and  then  securely  gagged  by  hands  which  clutched  him  like  an 
iron  vise.  In  a  moment  more  he  was  bound  hand  and  foot. 
The  stranger  then  left  the  pavilion  with  the  same  stealthy 
tread  by  which  he  had  entered,  passed  the  sleeping  sentinel  un 
observed  and  escaped  down  the  ravine,  but  in  the  direction  of 
the  fortress. 

Scarcely  a  half  hour  had  elapsed  before  the  tramp  of  sol 
diers  under  the  command  of  the  second  officer  of  the  fortress 
was  heard  by  the  prostrate  governor  in  his  tent.  They  en 
tered,  released  him  from  the  fetters  and  gag,  and  upon  search 
ing  his  person  discovered  the  draft  of  YermolorT  and  his  own 
letter  to  that  commander.  He  was  then  informed  that  he  was 
arrested  upon  the  representation  of  General  Alfonso  Debaena, 
who  stood  before  him  at  that  moment  in  the  disguise  of  the 
Russian  staff  officer,  and  with  the  receipt  which  the  governor 
had  given  him  open  in  his  hand. 

In  five  days  from  that  startling  occurrence  the  traitor  gov 
ernor  was  shot  by  order  of  a  court-martial. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

|N  a  rocky  ravine  and  close  by  the  waters  of  a  shallow 
river  three  Persian  officers  were  seated  upon  their 
horses  and  earnestly  discussing  the  details  of  a  military 
ambuscade.  They  formed  a  picturesque  group  in  their 
bright-hued  uniforms  and  seated  upon  steeds  possessing  all  the 
fiery  and  graceful  beauty  of  Oriental  thoroughbreds.  They 
had  halted  in  a  narrow  road  running  parallel  with  the  river  and 
divided  from  its  waters  by  scarcely  three  feel  of  earth.  Occa 
sionally  they  looked  upward  to  the  barren  rock  mountains  which 
hemmed  them  in  on  every  side  and  stood  eternal  sentry  over 
the  tortuous  and  murmuring  river.  The  trio  were  soldiers 
bronzed  by  exposure  to  the  burning  sun  of  the  Orient,  and 
though  possessed  of  strong  and  independent  wills  were  respect 
fully  and  calmly  listening  to  each  other's  military  opinions 
regarding  the  proper  disposition  of  troops  for  the  approaching 


230  IRENE. 

battle  Across  the  river,  which  was  fordable,  were  large  cavities 
in  the  rocks,  sufficiently  level  on  the  bottom  for  the  posting  of 
artillery,  and  where  the  guns  would  command  the  river  road  for 
several  rods  north  and  south,  or  deal  a  deadly  flank  fire  upon  an 
enemy  directly  across  the  river.  The  range  of  vision  on  every 
side  was  limited,  and  the  foe  would  encounter  a  galling  fire 
almost  at  the  instant  of  seeing  their  adversaries,  and  from  the 
distance  of  only  a  dozen  rods.  The  trio,  with  little  discussion, 
decided  upon  selecting  these  cavities  for  their  artillery,  or 
•  father  that  part  of  it  which  was  to  contest  the  enemy's  advance 
at  the  opening  of  the  battle. 

They  looked  in  vain,  however,  for  any  foothold  on  the  cliffs 
where  supporting  bodies  of  infantry  could  be  posted,  and 
finally  they  rode  slowly  down  the  river  southward,  looking  for 
more  advantageous  situations  for  battle.  Under  the  barren 
and  impending  crags  they  moved  on  until  they  were  gratified 
by  discovering  an  amphitheatre  amid  the  mountains  sweeping 
away  to  the  west  and  east  on  either  side  of  the  river,  and  on  the 
south  terminating  in  a  bold  mountain  which  divided  the  waters 
of  the  river  into  two  channels  which  laved  its  base  and  united 
in  a  single  stream  again  behind  it.  The  river  flowed  directly 
south  through  the  centre  of  this  amphitheatre,  until  it  was  rent 
in  twain  by  the  opposing  mountain.  The  road  followed  the 
western  channel  as  it  swept  away  around  the  mountain..  As 
the  road  rose  gradually  at  this  point  to  the  southward,  they 
determined  to  post  the  army  on  both  channels  of  the  river  and 
defend  them  both  from  the  Russian  army  advancing  from  the 
north.  Both  channels  made  their  way  through  deep  and  fright 
ful  ravines,  and  though  troops  might  readily  march  in  the 
shallow  water  when  unopposed,  they  were  almost  certain  to  be 
destroyed  when  artillery  and  infantry  were  galling  them  from 
tin-  heights  above. 

When  the  officers  had  at  length  arranged  the  details  of  the 
ambuscade  to  their  satisfaction,  the  one  who  appeared  to  be 
the  highest  in  rank  from  the  deference  exhibited  by  the  others, 
turning  to  the  youngest  soldier,  inquired : 

"  Now,  General  Debaena,  what  shall  we  do  with  your  cav 
alry  ?  It  would  chafe  your  lion  heart  out  of  you  to  hear  all  the 
music  of  the  battle  and  have  no  part  or  lot  in  the  matter.  You 
see  there  is  a  place  for  every  arm  of  the  service  but  the  cav 
alry.  If  your  horses  had  wings  now  we  could  post  them  on 
the  mountain  tops,  to  the  east  and  west  of  the  river.  But  as 


IRENE.  231 

it  is  I  fear  we  shall  have  to  send  you  all  far  to  our  rear  to 
smoke  your  caleeoons  and  listen  to  our  guns." 

"  My  horses  have  wings,  Your  Royal  Highness,"  was  the 
calm  response. 

"  Ah  !  you  would  scale  those  pyramids  of  rocks  and  with 
your  horsemen  view  the  battle  ?  " 

"  Undoubtedly,  Your  Royal  Highness.  The  view  of  a  battle 
is  the  next  best  thing  to  a  participation  in  it." 

The  Crown  Prince  looked  at  the  gallant  commander  of  his 
cavalry  in  surprise.  He  was  not  wont  to  take  so  coolly  a 
proposition  to  be  cut  off  entirely  from  the  opportunity  of  glory 
and  battle. 

"  I  would  desire  no  better  position,"  continued  General 
Debaena,  "  than  yonder  mountain-tops,  provided  Your  Royal 
Highness  will  stipulate  that,  in  the  event  of  your  defeat  and 
surrender,  I  and  my  idle  horsemen  shall  not  be  included  in  the 
terms.  We  can  escape  by  the  easy  slopes  on  the  back  of 
those  mountains,  and  may  live  to  render  you  valuable  service 
on  other  fields." 

"  I  can  see  no  other  way  to  dispose  of  the  cavalry,"  replied 
Abbas  Mirza,  thoughtfully.  "Your  fidelity  and  valor  are  already 
immortal.  I  will  grant  your  strange  request,  and  you  shall,  like 
eagles,  watch  the  battle,  and  our  defeat  shall  not  involve  the 
surrender  of  the  Persian  horse." 

"  Farewell,  Your  Royal  Highness,"  replied  Debaena,  turn 
ing  the  head  of  Al-Borak  towards  the  north.  "May  Allah 
grant  you  victory  !  " 

In  another  instant  he  was  bounding  away  along  the  river-road 
and  in  the  direction  of  the  advancing  Russian  army.  The 
other  two  rode  away  southward  towards  Echmiadzin,  near  which 
the  Persian  army  were  encamped  and  engaged  in  the  siege  of 
that  place.  ......... 

The  setting  sun  was  gilding  the  peaks  of  the  Saganlug  moun 
tains  as  General  Yermoloff,  with  a  brilliant  staff,  rode  down  the 
passes  of  the  Abarane  river  on  his  advance  from  Tiflis.  For 
miles  in  his  rear  stretched  the  disciplined  masses  of  his  superb 
troops,  who  were  advancing  with  high  hopes  and  in  the  gayest 
of  spirits  to  reinforce  their  comrades  on  the  plain  of  the  Araxes 
river.  The  sunbeams  flashed  from  their  bayonets  as  they 
crowned  the  crest  of  a  hill,  and  then  they  were  hidden  in  prem 
ature  night  as  they  descended  into  the  gorges  and  shadows 
adjacent  to  the  river.  With  Yermoloff  in  the  advance  rode  a 
lovely  girl  upon  a  spirited  horse,  which  she  managed  with  ease, 


232  IRENE. 

having  been  an  admirable  horse-woman  almost  from  the  cradle 
up.  She  was  one  of  the  military  secretaries  of  the  Russian 
commander,  and  was  treated  with  the  highest  respect  by  all  the 
staff  officers,  who  had  learned  to  admire  her  intellectual  quali 
ties  and  acknowledge  the  power  of  her  personal  attractions. 
It  was  understood  at  headquarters  that  she  would  eventually 
become  the  wife  of  Yermoloff.  She  wore  a  military  jacket  over 
her  dark  dress,  and  her  raven-colored  hair  was  surmounted  by 
a  military  cap.  She  was  unusually  pale,  which  gave  to  her  dark 
eyes  an  intense  brilliancy.  But  she  was  in  the  merriest  of 
moods  and  her  wit  and  laughter  were  contagious  as  she  jested 
with  every  one  about  her. 

"  When  shall  we  be  clear  of  these  gloomy  defiles  ? "  said 
Yermoloff  to  her  as  they  rode  low  down  into  a  gorge  beside 
the  Abarane.  "I  confess  to  an  ever-recurring  apprehension 
that  some  of  the  enemy  may  learn  of  our  advance  and  contest 
the  way  with  us." 

"  I  have  at  times  felt  a  similar  apprehension,"  replied  the  girl. 
"  They  surely  could  cause  us  much  trouble  here  if  they  learned 
of  our  movements.  But  there  is  no  human  probability  that  they 
have,  and  by  to-morrow  night  we  shall  be  beyond  the  defiles  and 
safe  upon  the  plain  of  the  Araxes." 

"You  have  traversed  this  road  before,  I  believe  you  told 
me?" 

"Twice,"  responded  the  girl;  "and  I  noted  every  mile  of 
the  way.  There  is  but  one  locality  along  the  entire  river  where 
a  considerable  body  of  the  enemy  could  be  posted  to  advantage. 
That  is  just  at  the  point  where  we  leave  the  river  and  march 
out  upon  the  slope  which  leads  down  to  the  Monastery  of  Ech 
miadzin.  They  can  make  no  stand  on  this  side  of  that  gorge. 
Regarding  that  locality  I  am  a  little  apprehensive  myself.  By 
this  hour  to-morrow  evening  we  shall  be  beyond  danger,  without 
doubt." 

During  that  entire  night  the  Russian  army,  weary  as  they  were 
by  their  long  march,  held  on  their  way.  YennolofFs  anxiety 
would  admit  of  no  proposition  to  halt.  The  Abarane  must  be 
left  in  his  rear,  before  rest  and  sleep  were  to  be  indulged  in. 
Through  the  entire  warm,  sultry  night,  the  everlasting  trarnf>, 
tramp  of  the  infantry  was  heard,  and  the  rumbling  of  the  ar 
tillery  wagons  and  the  clatter  of  hoofs.  The  stars  looked  clearly 
and  solemnly  down  upon  the  marching  thousands,  and  the  river 
murmured  over  its  pebbly  bed  beside  their  gloomy  way.  But 
on  and  on  their  shadowy  columns  moved,  half  awed  by  the  . 


IRENE.  233 

majestic,  barren  rocks  which  towered  above  them  on  either 
hand. 

When  morning  broke  at  last  upon  them  they  discovered  that 
the  defile  had  grown  more  gloomy,  wild  and  startling  still.  The 
ragged  summits  of  the  mountains  seemed  to  meet  the  sky,  the 
road  was  narrower,  the  way  more  broken.  But  in  the  brilliant 
sunlight  which  glittered  from  the  peaks  above  them  they  took 
heart  and  toiled  on  along  their  difficult  way.  At  length  the 
advance  reached  a  point  where  the  Abarane  parted  into  two 
channels  in  the  midst  of  an  amphitheatre  ;  and  here  the  Russian 
Yermoloff,  the  indomitable  soldier,  looking  up  and  around  him, 
discovered  the  entire  army  of  Abbas  Mirza  posted  to  intercept 
him.  The  scene  was  fearful,  but  majestic  and  brilliant.  On 
every  lofty  rock  and  available  foothold  for  men  the  flash  of  bay 
onets  was  seen  in  the  full  effulgence  of  the  morning  sun.  The 
Persian  infantry  in  three  lines  extended  from  mountain  to 
mountain  across  both  channels  of  the  Abarane  and  the  road. 
Their  cannon  frowned  on  every  side.  On  the  mountain-tops 
east  and  west,  which  from  the  river  bed  looked  inaccessible, 
were  posted  the  entire  cavalry  of  General  Debaena's  command. 
The  most  superb  body  of  horse  in  all  Asia  were  at  an  altitude 
where  the  sun's  rays  had  full  play  upon  their  steel  coats  of  mail, 
which  shimmered  and  flashed  like  long  silver  serpents,  stretched 
along  the  windings  of  the  opposite  ranges  of  mountains.  On 
the  summit  of  the  mountain  which  confronted  Yermoloffs 
advance  and  divided  the  river,  was  floating  the  banner  of  Persia, 
surrounded  by  glittering  masses  of  bayonets.  Here  was  the 
Prince  Royal  with  his  staff  overlooking  the  scene. 

Taken  completely  by  surprise,  the  Russian  commander  was 
fully  sensible  of  the  danger  of  forcing  a  passage  by  a  road  thus 
defended.  But  the  fear  of  losing  the  fortress  of  Echmiadzin  de 
termined  him  in  his  purpose  to  advance.  The  fire  of  his  artil 
lery  apparently  drove  back  the  first  line  of  the  Persian  infantry, 
and  he  gained  possession  of  part  of  the  ascending  road  and  their 
advanced  positions.  His  columns  moved  onward  in  exultation. 
But  just  at  the  moment  they  and  their  cumbersome  baggage 
were  involved  with  great  confusion  in  the  defiles  on  either  side 
of  the  central  mountain,  the  Persians  charged  on  all  sides,  and 
their  admirable  artillery  opened  at  the  same  instant  a  destructive 
fire.  Only  the  superior  discipline  of  the  Russian  troops  saved 
them  fron  utter  destruction.  They  rallied  and  recovered  their 
order.  A  sanguinary  contest  ensued  which  lasted  from  seven 
o'clock  in  the  morning  until  four  in  the  afternoon.  The  Per- 


234  IRENE. 

sian  infantry  attacked  with  obstinate  impetuosity  up  to  the  very 
mouths  of  the  cannon  and  points  of  the  bayonets.  The  Musco 
vite  veterans  encountered  at  last  their  equals.  The  river  ran 
down  its  channel  stained  with  streaks  of  blood,  for  the  contend 
ing  mass'es  of  infantry  were  frequently  fighting  in  the  water  ankle 
deep.  The  bodies  of  the  slain  would  not  float  away  from  the 
shallowness  of  the  stream,  but  lay  there  and  rocked  back  and 
forth  impeding  the  footsteps  of  the  charging  foemen,  who  were 
alternately  advancing  and  retreating  with  the  fluctuations  of  the 
combat.  The  echoes  of  the  thunder  of  the  artillery  pealed  from 
cliff  to  cliff  in  the  narrow  defile,  and  the  heavy  shot  came  plung 
ing  down  into  the  masses  of  infantry  struggling  in  the  river,  or 
dashing  into  the  water,  flung  high  in  air  the  spray  and  sands 
of  the  bottom.  The  obstinate  courage  of  the  Russians  cost 
them  a  fearful  sacrifice  of  life.  Their  infantry  were  stretched 
in  heaps  upon  the  road  and  in  the  river  bottoms,  their  artillery 
was  disabled  and  the  gunners  one  by  one  slain.  The  staff  of 
Yermoloff  with  their  horses  were  nearly  all  killed  or  disabled. 
Two  only  remained  to  him,  and  with  them  appeared  the  beau 
tiful  girl  who  refused  all  solicitations  to  retire  to  the  rear.  The 
female  secretary  remained  beside  Yermoloff,  eagerly  watching 
the  battle  and  listening  to  every  word  that  fell  from  the  com 
mander's  lips.  She  noted  every  order  issued  to  the  aids,  who 
dashed  away  but  returned  no  more.  Her  whole  soul  was 
bound  up  in  the  various  evolutions  directed  by  Yermoloff.  She 
seemed  to  be  looking  anxiously  for  some  event  to  occur  which 
yet  lay  hidden  in  the  future  of  that  terrible  day.  She  refused 
the  proffered  canteens  of  the  officers.  She  refused  the  offer  of 
bread.  She  never  dismounted  to  relieve  the  posture  or  soothe 
the  agonies  of  the  dying.  She  refused  to  wheel  her  horse  aside 
into  the  shadow  of  the  cliffs,  though  the  August  sun  of  the 
Orient  beat  ujwn  her  with  intolerable  fierceness.  She  was 
utterly  absorbed  in  the  conflict,  and  though  pale  as  a  corpse, 
was  apparently  beyond  the  reach  of  fear.  The  battle,  the  battlr. 
That  seemed  to  be  her  only  thought.  How  goes  the  battle  ? 
At  length  a  Persian  battery  succeeded  in  securing  a  position 
which  gave  a  direct  range  with  the  spot  where  Yermoloff  was 
watching  the  progress  of  the  battle.  In  another  moment,  the 
last  man  of  that  commander's  staff  was  slain,  and  hishorse  dashed 
wildly  away  up  the  road  to  the  north.  The  girl  turned  her  bril 
liant  eyes  upon  the  chief,  with  the  remark  : 

"  You  will  have  to  accept  my  services  now.     You  can  no 
longer  refuse.     Do  you  still  hold  to  the  opinion  that  General 


IRENE.  235 

Krassousky  will  have  to  retire  from  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river  and  reform  his  men." 

"  I  do.  But  I  will  never  send  you.  Look  at  the  cannon 
"shot  cutting  the  air  on  the  route  to  him  a  messenger  must 
travel.  I  will  send  an  officer  of  the  infantry  to  him." 

"No,  send  me.  Nicholas  will  make  a  countess  of  me  if  I 
come  back  safe.  That  would  just  suit  his  fancy."  The  words 
were  calm  as  those  of  a  veteran. 

"  No,  I  cannot  expose  you  on  any  terms,  and  then  your  secret 
services  are  invaluable  to  us,"  was  Yermoloff's  reply. 

"  I  will  abandon  you  forever,"  was  her  firm  answer,  "  unless 
you  send  me." 

"  You  cannot  mean  that,"  he  said. 

"  I  do,  and  on  the  instant,  too.  Suffer  me  to  go,  I  entreat 
you.  I  will  be  at  your  side  in  a  few  moments  again.  I  will 
tell  him  you  order  his  immediate  retreat  up  the  river  to  reform. 
Let  me  go  to  him,  or  I  leave  your  presence  forever." 

"  Then  go,"  he  said  petulantly.  "  You  have  the  will  of  a 
deity.  Go,  and  may  God  return  you  safe." 

In  an  instant  she  turned  her  horse  toward  the  river's  edge, 
plunged  into  the  stream,  and  galloped  across  to  the  opposite 
bank  with  the  Persian  cannon  shot  plunging  through  the  air  on 
every  side  of  her.  Her  teeth  were  clenched,  her  eyes  terrible 
in  their  brilliancy  ;  every  nerve  was  braced  for  the  emergency. 
She  would  retain  the  mastery  over  the  natural  timidity  of  her 
womanhood  until  her  puqiose  was  accomplished,  even  if  she  fell 
dead  under  the  unnatural  strain  the  next  instant  after  it  was 
effected. 

She  reached  the  opposite  bank,  bounded  up  its  easy  slope 
to  the  plateau  where  Krassousky,  superbly  mounted,  was  incit 
ing  his  men  to  stand  firm  until  they  were  reinforced,  and  flying 
directly  over  the  heaps  of  the  dead  and  dying,  accosted  the 
chief  thus,  as  she  drew  rein  before  him  : 

"  General  Yermoloff  has  lost  every  officer  of  his  staff.  He 
sends  me  to  say  to  you,  '  Charge  instantly  with  every  man 
you  can  rally,  and  drive  the  enemy's  infantry  doum  the  river  to 
the  Jirst  bend  in  the  stream.1  He  has  discovered  that  the  Per 
sians  are  retreating.  Order  also  your  artillery  down  to  the  po 
sition  now  occupied  by  your  infantry." 

"  Strange  order  ! "  exclaimed  the  officer.  "  Am  I  left  no 
discretion  ?  " 

"  None,"  she  ejaculated.  "  Yermoloff  bids  me  say,  '  The 
battle  depends  upon  a  prompt  execution  of  the  order.' " 


236  IRENE. 

The  general  knew  her  too  well  to  doubt  the  authority  vested 
in  her,  and  though  the  order  seemed  to  him  an  insane  one,  he 
acquiesced,  and  she  rode  off.  Pausing  upon  the  river's  brink, 
she  saw  an  aid  dispatched  to  advance  the  artillery  from  its 
commanding  position,  where  it  was  inflicting  frightful  havoc 
among  the  Persian  infantry,  to  low  ground  where  its  range 
•would  be  intercepted  by  the  Muscovites  themselves.  Then 
she  witnessed  the  organization  of  a  desperate  infantry  charge, 
•which  proved  successful,  the  enemy  slowly  giving  way  before 
it,  and  falling  back  upon  the  first  bend  in  the  Abarane,  south. 
The  artillery  occupied  the  ground  just  vacated  by  the  Russian 
infantry,  and  behind  them  stretched  the  commanding  ground  or 
slope  from  which  they  had  inflicted  so  much  havoc  with  their 
cannon.  While  the  artillery  were  assuming  their  new  position, 
the  isolated  girl  upon  the  river  bank  was  enveloping  her  entire 
figure  in  &  snow-white  shaivl.  Yermolotf,  who  was  darting  anxious 
glances  across  the  stream  at  the  singular  result  which  had  fol 
lowed  his  order  to  retreat,  caught  a  glimpse  of  her  and  beck 
oned  to  her  to  return.  She  paid  no  attention  to  him  ;  her  eyes 
were  riveted  upon  the  mountain  tops  to  the  east  of  the  river, 
while  the  cannon  shot  ploughed  the  ground  and  the  stream  on 
either  side  of  her.  Presently  she  gave  a  start,  and  clutched  her 
reins  convulsively.  A  bugle  sounded  close  at  hand.  The 
sound  seemed  to  issue  from  the  solid  rock-mountain  on  the 
east.  Tears  burst  from  her  eyes  ;  she  was  thrilled  by  some  in 
tense  emotion.  The  tension  of  her  nerves  was  unloosed. 
Words  trembled  on  her  lips,  inaudible,  but  struggling  for  utter 
ance.  The  woman  so  calm  amid  all  the  lengthened  horrors  of 
that  day,  so  rigid,  so  ice-like  in  her  composure  amid  shot  and 
shell  and  dying  men,  was  weeping  and  laughing  and  exulting  at 
the  sound  of  a  bugle.  It  came  again,  nearer  and  nearer  that 
martial  music  came,  and  the  girl  burst  forth  into  a  loud  cry  of 
joy,  choked  again  and  again  by  tears,  but  again  finding  utter 
ance. 

"  My  Persia  !  my  country  !  victory  !  victory  !  Debaena  is 
coming;  Debaena  is  here.  Fly,  Russian  dogs,  the  sword  of 
great  Allah  is  here." 

In  another  instant  a  horseman  issued  from  a  cleft  in  the 
rock-mountain  in  the  rear  of  the  Russian  artillery.  Another 
and  another  followed  at  rapid  pace,  until  the  rising  ground  was 
covered  with  thousands  of  them  forming  for  battle.  The  girl's 
eyes  were  fixed  upon  one  alone.  Over  his  head  was  hovering 
the  King-vulture,  Boshran  (good  tidings). 


IRENE.  237 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

IHE  Russian  artillery  wheeled  in  their  disadvantageous 
position  to  meet  this  unexpected  enemy.  Their  rapid 
fire  with  round  shot  and  grape  emptied  many  saddles, 
riders  falling  headlong  to  the  earth,  and  steeds  plung 
ing  madly  to  the  rear  in  agony,  or  gasping  foam  as  they  lay 
stretched  upon  the  earth.  For  a  few  moments  confusion 
reigned  amid  the  forming  squadrons  of  Persian  cavalry.  But 
Debaena's  men  soon  yelled  their  terrible  war-cry,  and  like  the 
wind  charged  upon  the  artillery,  sabre  in  hand.  The  gunners 
were  slaughtered  as  they  were  in  the  act  of  applying  the  match, 
and  though  their  last  fire  was  fatal  to  many  horsemen,  the  irre 
sistible  legion  swept  on  to  rapid  victory.  All  the  guns  fell  into 
the  hands  of  Debaena,  who  immediately  dashed  on  to  trie  at 
tack  of  the  infantry. 

Abbas  Mirza  had  been  notified  early  in  the  day  that  a  gorge 
had  been  discovered  in  the  eastern  wall  of  mountains  through 
which  a  descent  could  be  made  by  the  cavalry  to  the  Russian 
rear,  in  a  certain  contingency.  That  contingency  had  been 
accelerated  by  the  heroic  " Coadjutor"  who  had  discovered  the 
critical  moment,  and  by  delivering  a  false  order  of  Yermoloff 
cleared  the  coveted  knoll  of  the  Russian  artillery.  Her  signal 
shawl  had  been  seen  from  the  cliffs,  and  Debaena  hastened 
down  to  participate  in  the  conflict.  The  instant  the  Crown 
Prince  of  Persia  discovered  from  his  elevated  site  the  advent  of 
the  horse  in  the  enemy's  rear,  he  ordered  a  general  charge.  The 
Russians  were  taken  at  disadvantage,  but  fought  with  marvel 
lous  courage  and  resolution,  and  the  carnage  became  appalling. 
Nobly  did  the  veterans  of  European  battlefields  struggle  to  re 
tain  their  military  prestige.  They  died  in  their  tracks,  unyield 
ing,  heroic  and  hopeless.  The  Persian  patriots,  burning  to 
avenge  their  brethren  slain  on  so  many  fields,  and  confident 
that  the  enemy  was  at  last  within  their  net,  with  exultant  yells 
saw  the  ranks  of  the  foe  decimated  and  thrown  into  confusion 
by  the  artillery,  and  charging  with  impetuosity  broke  and  routed 
the  Russian  lines  on  every  side,  and  bayoneted  the  stubborn 
veterans  who  refused  to  surrender. 

Before  sunset  all  hope  for  the  Muscovites  had  fled.  Their 
generals  massing  a  small  body  of  horse  and  infantry  forced  the 
Persian  line  at  the  western  channel  of  the  Abarane  and  fled 


238  IRENE. 

towards  Echmiadzin,  pursued  by  Debaena  and  his  fleet  cavalry. 
The  Persian  horse  charging  upon  them  at  every  favorable  op 
portunity  cut  them  down  all  the  way  to  the  walls  of  the 
beleaguered  monastery.  The  batteries  of  the  Russians  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  victors,  together  with  the  stores  and  ammuni 
tion  intended  for  the  besieged  of  Echmiad/in.  The  victory 
was  decisive,  and  is  deemed  the  most  glorious  in  the  annals  of 
modern  Persia.  Before  the  shades  of  night  fell,  the  victors 
were  cheering  by  thousands  from  the  cliffs,  and  amid  them  sat 
upon  her  horse  a  wounded  girl,  supported  by  two  soldiers, 
waving  her  white  stiawl  in  air  while  tears  of  joy  streamed  down 
her  cheeks.  It  was  Irene, 

In  a  hospital  tent  near  Echmiadzin  Abbas  Mirza  was  bend 
ing  over  the  couch  of  Zenayi,  severely  wounded  in  the  arm. 
The  Ghebre  had  participated  in  the  cavalry  charge  led  by  De 
baena,  and  while  dealing  death  with  a  sword  of  antique  pattern 
was  struck  by  a  bullet  and  fell  from  his  horse.  Debaena  with 
the  light  of  battle  in  his  face  was  cutting  his  way  through  the 
Russian  infantry  when  his  friend  was  stricken  down  at  his  side. 
Clearing  a  circle  about  the  wounded  man  by  a  fow  desperate 
charges  of  his  horsemen,  he  gave  the  command  into  the  hands 
of  his  junior  officer,  and  while  the  cavalry  pushed  on,  dismount 
ed  from  Al-Borak,  kneeled  beside  his  friend,  and  by  a  skillful 
pressure  of  his  finger  upon  an  artery  of  the  shoulder  saved  him 
from  bleeding  to  death  until  a  surgeon  came  up.  Then  re 
mounting  he  pushed  on  after  his  men. 

"  I  shall  recover,  Your  Royal  Highness,"  said  the  Ghebre. 
"  Persia  shall  have  my  services  and  counsels  for  many  a  day 
yet.  But  I  should  have  been  a  spirit  had  not  Debaena' s  recol 
lection  of  a  simple  remedy  for  bleeding  saved  me  for  sublunary 
affairs." 

"  Allah  be  praised  for  saving  you  both,"  fervently  ejaculated 
the  prince.  "To  you  and  Debaena  and  Coadjutor  are  we 
indebted  for  this  glorious  victory.  Would  that  I  might  look 
upon  the  face  of  that  heroic  girl  who  has  proved  to  us  a  pro 
tecting  angel." 

"  Your  wish  is  of  easy  accomplishment,"  replied  the  Ghebre. 
"Yonder,  on  that  couch,  she  lies,  near  the  wall  of  the  tent. 
Go  to  her.  Forgive  her.  Bless  her  as  you  hope  the  forgive 
ness  of  Ormuzd." 

"Forgive  her!"  exclaimed   the   amazed  prince.     "I  shall 


IRENE,  239 

rather  crave  her  forgiveness  that  I  have  so  long  suffered  her 
services  to  go  unrewarded." 

Passing  across  to  the  couch  of  " Coadjutor"  Abbas  Mirza 
gazed  for  an  instant  with  intense  pity  upon  the  pale  face  of  the 
poor  girl.  Then  as  her  large,  lustrous  eyes  opened  upon  him 
with  their  irresistible  light,  he  started,  looked  again,  and  with  a 
cry  of  anguish  flung  himself  upon  his  knees  beside  her,  and 
folded  his  arms  about  her  with  ineffable  tenderness. 

"Irene,  my  darling  Irene — light  of  the  East,"  he  murmured, 
amid  his  sobs  and  tears  and  uncontrollable  emotion,  and  then 
laying  his  head  upon  her  breast  he  wept  long  and  violently. 
The  fingers  of  the  girl  twined  in  his  dark  hair  while  a  smile  of 
exquisite  beauty  played  upon  her  lips,  and  she  murmured  softly, 
"  My  brother,  my  brother,  my  darling  brother" 

The  subsequent  events  of  the  Persian  war  may  be  delved 
out  from  the  archives  of  the  years  1828  and  1829.  We  dis 
continue  here  the  line  of  historical  events  and  dismiss  them 
with  brief  mention.  The  final  result  of  the  war  was  disastrous 
to  Persia.  The  armies  of  Abbas  Mirza  were  gradually  van 
quished  and  driven  across  the  Araxes  river,  which  eventually 
became  the  boundary  between  the  two  empires.  The  impor 
tant  fortress  of  Abbas  Abad  was  surrendered  to  Russia  by  a 
traitor.  The  execution  of  its  former  governor  had  not  eradi 
cated  all  the  treason  lurking  behind  its  walls.  This  defection 
led  to  the  surrender  of  the  fortress  of  Ardebil,  with  its  cannon, 
valuable  stores  and  rare  library  of  Oriental  works.  Abbas 
Mirza,  finding  the  contest  hopeless,  sued  for  peace.  By  the 
final  arrangement  made  between  the  two  powers,  Mount 
Ararat  became  the  point  in  which  Persia,  Russia  and  Turkish 
Armenia  cornered. 

At  the  termination  of  hostilities  Zenayi  and  Debaena  stood 
higher  than  ever  in  the  public  esteem.  It  was  well  known 
that  both  had  opposed  the  war  ab  initio.  Their  subsequent 
heroism  and  devotion  to  Persia  in  the  field,  where  they  incurred 
every  hazard  in  what  they  believed  to  be  a  hopeless  cause, 
gained  them  the  devotion  of  the  entire  Persian  people.  Honors 
and  emoluments  were  heaped  upon  them  both  by  the  Shah, 
who  had  originally  leaned  strongly  to  their  anti-war  opinions. 
The  generous  Abbas  Mirza,  the  moving  spirit  in  instigating  the 
war,  was  the  first  to  propose  that  Debaena  should  be  honored 
with  the  command  of  the  entire  cavalry  of  the  empire.  Hi* 


240  IRENE. 

suggestion  was  adopted,  and  the  young  officer  was  invested 
with  this  dignity  and  all  the  emoluments  pertaining  to  the  com 
mand.  The  Shah  presented  him  also,  in  recognition  of  his  dis 
tinguished  services,  with  one  of  his  palaces.  True,  however,  to 
his  promise  to  the  Ghebre,  Debaena  employed  none  of  the  se 
cret  resources  at  his  command  to  his  own  aggrandizement  or 
pomp.  The  treasury  of  Cyrus  remained  intact,  save  only  when 
the  efficiency  of  the  army  intrusted  to  him  required  the  use  of 
the  hidden  gold. 

But  what  had  become  of  the  heart  of  the  young  commander 
now  seated  at  the  zenith  of  power  and  military  glory  ?  He 
lived  in  his  luxurious  palace  with  his  military  friends  alone.  No 
woman  was  ever  permitted  to  enter  the  inclosure  of  its  walls. 
This  mystery  became  a  common  topic  of  conversation  in  all 
the  anderoons  of  Persia.  It  was  known  that  several  lovely  and 
affluent  beauties  of  Iran  were  dying  or  sighing  for  the  love  of 
Debaena,  Songs  composed  in  his  honor  were  heard  through 
out  the  land.  He  was  the  pride,  the  favorite  of  the  nation. 
But  woman  was  to  him  apparently  a  myth.  He  ignored  the 
sex. 

Finally  a  strange  rumor  was  heard  throughout  the  empire. 
A  brother  officer  had  rallied  Debaena  upon  his  neglect  of 
women,  and  received  in  response  the  following  quotation  from 
the  Persian  poet,  Kasim  Al  Anwar  : 

"Fate  is  a  hand  that  exercises  its  jive  fingers  on  its  rictim. 
Two  are  placed  on  the  eyes,  two  upon  the  ears,  and  one  upon  the 
lips,  saying  '  Be  forever  silent.'  " 

The  women  of  Persia  now  extended  to  Debaena  the  honor 
of  their  pity.  The  solution  of  the  riddle  was  manifest  to  them. 
It  was  of  easy  interpretation.  The  young  commander  was 
hopelessly  in  love  with  some  hidden  beauty  of  the  harem.  He 
could  neither  see,  hear  or  speak  to  her.  Hence  all  hope  was 
gone.  Poor  Debaena !  The  sarans  of  Persia,  however, 
laughed  at  this  solution,  and  maintained  that  the  gallant  officer 
only  strongly  tinted  with  Sufi  mysticism. 

But  notwithstanding  all  the  sage  conjectures  of  the  day 
Debaena  was  dreaming  of  woman  and  of  more  than  one.  One 
day  he  sat  in  his  voluptuous  gardens  beside  a  fountain,  with  two 
miniatures  in  his  hands.  One  was  Madeleine,  the  o'her  was 
Irene.  The  latter  was  the  gift  of  Abbas  Mirza,  her  brother. 
His  thoughts  were  divided  between  the  two  lovely  faces  before 
him  and  the  veiled  face  which  he  had  never  seen.  The  trio 
were  the  only  women  that  ever  occupied  his  attention.  While 


IRENE.  241 

the  soldier  was  thus  engaged  Zenayi  entered  the  garden  and 
accosted  him. 

"  Dreaming  of  women  still !  Alfonso,  heed  my  advice.  Shun 
them  all.  I  have  in  reserve  for  you  an  immortal  beauty,  whose 
ravishing  charms  will  fill  your  soul  to  satiety,  a  mistress  of 
whom  you  will  never  weary,  who  cannot  grow  old  or  change. 
You  have  made  giant  strides  in  the  path  of  true  heroism.  I 
have  the  power  to  wed  you  to  a  bride  worthy  of  the  real  no 
bility  in  you." 

"  And  yet,  Zenayi,  the  penalty  of  winning  your  mysterious 
beauty,  you  have  said,  is  no  less  than  an  utter  abandonment  of 
the  sensual  in  love." 

"  Aye  !  To  win  her  of  whom  I  speak  you  must  never  live 
with  mortal  woman,  either  as  wife  or  mistress.  You  must  be 
entirely  pure." 

Alfonso  answered,  "  Suppose,  Zenayi,  that  I  have  contracted 
the  habit  of  loving  a  mortal  woman,  and  cannot  shake  that 
habit  off.  Can  I  still  win  your  immortal  beauty?" 

"Without  a  doubt,"  responded  the  Ghebre.  "The  ideal 
love  for  a  mortal  woman  is  eminently  pure.  Beyond  the  ideal 
you  must  never  go.  The  instant  that  the  sensual  is  indulged 
you  become  unfitted  to  be  the  companion  of  the  immortal 
beauty,  and  you  lose  her  forever." 

"  I  may  love  a  mortal  woman,  then,  but  never  wed." 

"  Those  are  the  terms,  Alfonso.  A  total  abandonment  of  the 
sensual  in  love  qualifies  you  for  the  possession  of  the  immortal 
beauty." 

The  Ghebre  calmly  contemplated  the  eloquent  face  of  his 
young  friend,  and  witnessed  the  fearful  struggle  going  on.  And 
as  the  eyes  of  Zenayi,  the  Sphinx,  brightened  in  gazing,  Al 
fonso  saw  again  that  mysterious,  far-off  look  of  immensity  which 
awed  and  fascinated  all  who  encountered  his  full,  steady  gaze. 
And  then  he  fell  a-dreaming  of  his  own  vague,  earliest  recol 
lections.  After  a  pause  the  Ghebre  spoke  again  : 

"  The  time  is  limited  within  which  I  have  the  power  of  bring 
ing  you  in  contact  with  the  immortal  beauty.  In  a  few  months 
the  opportunity  will  be  lost  to  you,  and  if  lost,  lost  forever" 

The  last  words  seemed  to  boom  like  a  distant  funeral  bell, 
filling  the  soul  of  the  listener  with  a  vague  apprehension  that 
something  of  priceless  value  was  passing  from  the  grasp  of  man 
forever. 

Again  the  mysterious   being  addressed  his  friend,  who  sat 
absorbed  in  profound  contemplation. 
11 


242  IRENE. 

"  I  have  promised  to  reveal  to  you  the  second  of  the  three 
great  secrets.  Now  I  am  forced  by  gratitude  to  offer  you  the 
last  and  third  also.  In  saving  my  life  at  Echmiadzin,  you  con 
ferred  upon  me  the  greatest  boon  that  man  can  give.  Hence 
I  offer  you  the  third.  Ponder  well  the  terms,  and  when  I  bring 
you  face  to  face  with  the  awful  responsibility  of  a  decision  you 
will  tremble  at  the  glory,  honor  and  power  that  waits  upon  the 
utter  abandonment  of  the  sensual  in  your  love  for  women. 
Your  love  for  woman,  no  matter  how  intense  and  strong,  will  fade 
away  in  the  inestimable  value  of  the  immortal  beauty  /  shall  offer 
to  your  arms.  Prepare  yourself  by  contemplation  for  the  trial 
day." 

With  tenderness  the  Ghebre  kissed  the  forehead  of  his  favor 
ite  pupil  and  walked  solemnly  away  through  the  charbagh. 

For  hours  the  commander  sat  there  silent.  The  miniatures 
had  fallen  to  the  ground  neglected.  He  knew  not  that  they 
were  lying  beside  the  fountain.  He  was  absorbed  in  dreaming 
of  that  vague,  inestimable  gift  which  would  compensate  man  for 
the  loss  of  woman.  At  length  he  started  from  his  reverie, 
raised  the  miniatures  from  the  earth,  placed  one  upon  the  rim 
of  the  fountain,  and  walked  away  with  the  other  in  his  hand. 
And  as  he  strolled  on  and  on  amid  the  shrubbery  and  flowers 
of  that  Eastern  paradise,  he  was  dreaming  of  a  woman's  face 
that  haunted  him,  and  wondering  if  her  soul  was  indeed  as 
beautiful  as  her  face. 


IRENE.  243 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 

"  What  hid'st  then  in  thy  treasure-caves  and  cells, 
Thou  holltnu-sounding  and  mysterious  Main  ? 
—  Pale  glistering  pearls,  and  rainbow-colored  shells. 
Bright  things  that  gleam  unrectfd  of,  and  in  vain." 

|  HE  Ghebre  and  his  pupil  stood  once  again  together  in 
the  cave.  Here  had  Debaena  first  learned  the  rudi 
ments  of  science  and  of  military  lore.  From  this 
subterranean  school  had  he  emerged,  a  meteor  upon 
the  air  of  his  adopted  country.  And  now  with  the  honors  of 
the  empire  fresh  and  bright  upon  him,  he  had  returned  to  the 
rude  cavern  of  the  sage  beside  the  sea,  to  be  initiated  in  the 
mysteries  of  that  mysterious  second  secret  so  long  promised  by 
the  Sphinx  of  Persia.  The  Ghebre  had  conducted  him  to  a 
corner  of  the  cavern  veiled  in  shadows,  and  bade  him  remain 
motionless  until  a  light  was  struck.  Presently  a  scarlet  flame 
sprang  up  from  the  rocks,  at  first  no  larger  than  the  flame  of  a 
lamp,  but  flaring  wider  and  brighter  every  instant  as  Zenayi 
poured  a  dark  powder  upon  it  from  a  flask.  At  length  it  had 
risen  to  the  height  of  twelve  inches,  and  in  its  scarlet  brilliancy 
flowed  away  down  the  rock  upon  which  it  had  been  lighted, 
until  the  whole  cavern  glowed  with  its  brightness  and  every 
object  was  revealed. 

Then  Debaena  discovered  before  him  a  horrible,  yawning 
pit  in  the  floor  of  the  cave,  fifty  feet  in  diameter,  above  which 
was  suspended  a  silk  balloon  inflated  with  gas.  A  car  was 
attached  to  the  balloon,  in  which  Zenayi  bade  him  be  seated. 
He  found  also  that  this  car  was  surrounded  by  lamps  attached 
to  it  by  wires.  The  Ghebre  lighted  these  lamps  one  by  one, 
and  then  seating  himself  beside  Debaena  loosened  the  cord 
which  held  the  balloon  to  the  rock,  and  the  two  slowly  com 
menced  to  descend  into  the  yawning  pit.  Gradually  the  Ghe 
bre,  by  means  of  a  cord,  allowed  the  gas  to  escape,  and  Debaena 
realized  that  he  was  swiftly  descending  into  the  bowels  of  the 
earth.  Down,  down  they  sped,  silent  and  thoughtful,  into  the 
depths  of  blackness,  and  the  unknown.  The  soldier  knew  too 
well  the  reticent  character  of  Zenayi  to  question  him  when  in  his 
silent  and  mysterious  moods.  He  therefore  only  held  his  peace 
and  watched  the  regular,  rocky  walls  of  the  shaft  down  which 
they  sped.  Seconds,  minutes,  hours  passed  by,  and  still  no  in- 


244  IRENE. 

dications  of  the  end  of  their  journey  appeared.     Finally  the 
Ghebre  looked  directly  at  his  companion  and  said  : 

"You  are  drowsy,  Alfonso.  Sleep  if  you  can,  for  the  jour 
ney  is  long." 

The  soldier  without  a  word  stretched  himself  in  the  bottom 
of  the  car,  which  was  covered  with  an  elegant  carpet,  placed 
his  head  upon  the  side  or  rim  of  the  car,  and  in  a  few  moments 
slept  as  soundly  as  he  had  ever  done  in  camp. 

When  the  commander  of  all  the  cavalry  of  Persia  awoke,  it 
was  at  the  touch  of  Zenayi's  hand  upon  his  head,  and  the  loud 
words  of  command  : 

"Arouse  yourself,  take  this  lamp  and  follow  me." 

Debaena  with  a  start  looked  up,  saw  the  mysterious  eyes  of 
his  friend  regarding  him,  and  noticed  that  the  Ghebre  had  de 
tached  two  of  the  lamps  from  the  car,  and  was  offering  him  one 
of  them.  He  arose  at  once,  and  taking  the  proffered  lamp, 
stepped  from  the  car  in  imitation  of  Zenayi,  and  followed  him. 
His  feet  instantly  felt  the  firm  resistance  of  rock,  and  he  fol 
lowed  the  Ghebre's  lamp  into  the  impenetrable  darkness  ;  walk 
ing  on  and  on  into  pathless  gloom.  Turning  once  he  looked 
behind  him  and  saw  the  lamps  which  had  been  left  in  the  an 
chored  balloon  dwindling  away  into  indistinctness  in  the  dark 
ness.  After  a  time  he  looked  back  again.  Their  light  had 
vanished.  The  consciousness  that  a  fearful  extent  of  rock, 
doubtless  the  thickness  of  many  miles,  was  above  his  head  and 
between  him  and  the  surface  of  the  earth,  appalled  the  hero  of 
a  hundred  fights,  and  he  followed  on  in  ama/ement  and  curios 
ity  that  at  length  became  painful.  He  could  see  nothing  above 
his  head.  His  lamp  light  was  inadequate  to  give  him  the 
details  of  his  surroundings.  His  whole  life  and  hope  of  escape 
from  this  natural  prison  rested  in  the  person  of  the  white-robed 
being  who  walked  on  and  on  before  him  with  a  lamp. 

He  discovered  inequalities  in  the  path  or  way  he  was  trav 
elling.  Sometimes  the  bottom  was  apparently  as  level  as  the 
floor  of  a  dwelling,  then  it  seemed  at  intervals  to  be  ribbed 
or  channelled.  But  there  were  no  serious  impediments'  to  his 
advance,  and  he  realized  that  they  must  be  making  rapid  pro- 
gress.  Finally  his  guide  paused  and  said  to  him  : 

"  Be  patient.  You  will  soon  be  amazed,  and  forget  the  te- 
diousness  of  your  journey." 

Even  as  Zenayi  spoke,  Debaena  fancied  that  he  discovered 
far  ahead  a  faint  light  as  of  the  early  dawn  of  day.  Neverthe 
less  he  remained  silent,  so  completely  had  the  Ghebre's  habits 


IRENE.  245 

of  silence  and  self-control  influenced  his  own  conduct  and  be 
come  a  second  nature  to  him  when  alone  with  this  mysterious 
friend.  The  Ghebre  had  resumed  his  advance  and  Alfonso 
followed  in  the  same  thoughtful  mood  as  before.  He  was 
slightly  awed,  but  kept  this  emotion  to  himself.  Curiosity  soon 
usurped  the  place  of  every  other  emotion,  for  the  subterranean 
dawn  was  surely  increasing  in  brightness.  As  they  advanced 
it  lighted  up  the  gloom,  and  presently  Debaena  saw  far  above 
his  head  a  wonderful  net-work  of  white  stretching  away  on 
above  and  on  either  side  of  him,  like  a  subterranean  forest  of 
white,  interlacing  graceful  branches.  The  coming  subterra 
nean  day  waxed  clearer,  whiter,  brighter  before  them.  Every 
thing  was  becoming  visible  and  distinct  about  them,  and  the 
amazed  soldier  recognized  the  white,  graceful  net-work  above 
him  as  a  forest  of  coral,  white  as  the  driven  snow,  and  of 
immense  extent.  The  floor  upon  which  he  was  walking  was 
also  coral,  and  soon  his  guide  led  him  away  to  one  side  of  this 
vast  subterranean  chamber,  where  their  way  passed  amid  trees 
of  coral,  standing  erect  upon  the  floor  and  stretching  their 
branches  above  their  heads  as  they  walked.  The  brightness 
ahead  augmented,  and  seemed  at  length  to  develop  into  a 
golden  light  which  tinted  all  objects  around,  and  in  whose 
effulgence  the  soldier  discovered  that  his  path  was  now  covered 
with  a  wide  waste  of  tiny  pink  shells.  Away,  away  on  before 
him  spread  this  wonderful  carpet  of  pink,  and  above  him  twined 
the  branches  of  the  snow-white  coral,  and  around  him  clustered 
at  intervals  the  trunks  of  the  coral  trees.  Was  he  indeed 
within  the  realm  of  a  fairy  queen,  and  was  Zenayi  a  magician, 
gifted  with  the  power  of  revealing  to  him  the  haunts  of  these 
supernatural  beings  ?  This  idea  strengthened  as  he  advanced, 
and  leaving  the  white  forest  behind  him  entered  one  where 
the  trees  were  pink  and  the  floor  covered  with  golden  shells, 
dotted  with  specks  of  white. 

To  the  ejaculations  of  surprise  and  delight  which  broke  now 
from  the  lips  of  his  companion,  Zenayi  exclaimed  : 

"Come  on,  now,  to  the  coral  treasury  from  which  I  pilfered 
my  chair  you  have  seen  so  often  in  my  cave.  It  is  just  before 
us." 

Hastening  on  in  excitement  and  rapture  after  the  Ghebre, 
Alfonso  came  to  a  great  amphitheatre  or  vast  circle  of  red 
coral  trees,  a  hundred  rods  across,  whose  branches,  interlacing 
and  exquisite  in  their  details,  were  illumined  by  a  brilliant 
golden  light  issuing  like  a  river  from  the  floor  beyond,  and 


246  IRENE. 

which  the  Ghebre  informed  him  was  a  vast  body  of  burning 
gas,  which  had  doubtless  for  ages  been  flowing  up  from  the 
bowels  of  the  earth  and  illumining  this  wonderful  fairy  specta 
cle.  The  fire  worshippers  of  the  earliest  days  had  known  of 
this  subterranean  fire,  and  to  their  chief  priests  had  been  in 
trusted  the  knowledge  of,  the  locality  of  its  existence,  until  the 
secret  had  been  lost  by  the  sudden  death  of  the  one  who  should 
have  passed  it  down  to  his  successor.  Zenayi  had  known  of 
the  ancient  tradition  regarding  it,  and  by  accident  discovered  it 
when  experimenting  with  his  balloon  in  the  pit  of  his  cave.  As 
the  amazed  soldier  gazed  upon  the  gorgeous  spectacle,  ever 
varying  with  every  turn  he  made  from  right  or  left,  and  wit 
nessed  the  vast  extent  of  this  precious  treasury,  he  exclaimed  : 

"  Could  this  valuable  coral  be  transported  to  the  light  of 
day  it  would  make  a  fortune  for  its  owner  before  which  the 
treasury  of  Cyrus  would  dwindle  into  insignificance." 

"  It  is  yours,  Alfonso,"  replied  the  singular  man  in  white. 
"  I  have  given  it  to  you.  One  chair  alone  has  been  trans 
ported  to  the  cave  above.  All  else  is  yours.  Time  and 
science  may  enable  you  to  transport  vast  quantities  of  it  to  a 
market.  If  the  love  of  wealth  still  lingers  in  your  heart  you 
may  make  the  attempt  to  turn  this  coral  into  the  gold  of  men's 
traffic.  But  if  you  value  the  counsel  of  your  friend  Zenayi, 
you  will  leave  all  this  wealth,  too,  behind  and  push  on  to  the 
acquisition  of  that  immortal  beauty  which  alone  can  satisfy  the 
human  heart ;  that  immortal  beauty  which  will  enrich  you  far 
beyond  the  treasury  of  Cyrus,  far  beyond  all  this  wilder 
ness  of  red  coral,  trafficked  into  gold.  In  the  possession  of 
that  transcendent  wealth,  these  two  treasuries,  these  two  se 
crets  intrusted  by  Zenayi  to  you  will  seem  trifling  and  of  little 
value." 

That  transcendent  secret  again.  What  could  be  more  val 
uable  than  this  wilderness  of  coral,  red  and  beautiful  for  the 
markets  of  the  world  ?  Ages  on  ages  could  not  exhaust  the 
resources  of  this  subterranean  coral  mine.  With  this  wealth  at 
command  he  could  overwhelm  and  conquer  empires.  What 
the  splendor  of  the  sword  could  not  effect,  the  power  of  the 
inexhaustible  riches  would.  "  Relinquish  this  certain  wealth, 
Zenayi,  for  an  uncertainty?  I  should  be  a  madman,"  he  ex 
claimed. 

The  Ghebre  looked  upon  his  eager,  beautiful  face,  lighted  up 
with  the  glory  of  the  subterranean  flames,  and  his  magnificent, 
dark  eyes  brilliant  in  the  enthusiasm  of  his  new  acquisition. 


IRENE.  247 

Then  he  smiled  one  of  his  mysterious,  dubious  smiles,  which 
seemed  to  Debaena  to  signify  so  much  superiority,  so  much 
knowledge  of  the  great  unrcvealcd. 

"  Tell  me,  Zenayi,"  he  said,  annoyed  by  the  calm  superiority 
of  the  man,  "  shall  I  find  in  the  third  great  secret  greater 
•wealth  than  this?" 

The  priest  of  the  Magi  abandoned  his  usual  calmness  of 
manner  and  tone,  and  burst  forth  into  eloquence  as  if  the 
theme  engrossed  the  noblest  and  best  qualities  of  his  heart  and 
brain. 

"  Aye  !  greater  wealth  than  a  thousand  secrets  like  to  these 
I  have  given  you.  Greater  power  than  these  can  ever  buy : 
power  to  face  princes,  to  contend  with  savans,  to  read  the 
secrets  of  men  and  of  nature,  to  be  great  in  that  mysterious, 
but  awful  auxiliary  to  success,  learning.  Seize  the  prize  I 
offer  !  Abandon  the  sensual  in  love ;  accept  the  arms  of  my 
immortal  beauty,  and  you  shall  have  the  greatest  gift  Ormuzd 
ever  bestowed  on  mortal  man." 

As  he  spoke  his  eyes  seemed  to  flame  for  an  instant  with  a 
chatoyant  light.  Then  came  that  gaze  which  awed  and  fasci 
nated  all  men,  but  now  conveyed  to  Debaena  the  impression 
that  the  Ghebre  ardently  yearned  to  bestow  upon  him  his  own 
mysterious  power  and  knowledge. 

The  soldier  was  buried  in  profound  thought.  A  struggle 
was  going  on,  and  he  remained  silent. 

"  You  are  harassed  by  love  for  a  mortal  woman,  I  fear," 
said  the  Ghebre. 

"I  am,"  replied  the  soldier,  startled  by  the  mysterious 
intelligence  which  seemed  to  read  his  thoughts. 

"  Then  abandon  the  hope  or  desire  to  make  her  your  wife, 
and  love  her  with  the  calm,  holy  veneration  we  have  for  the 
pure,  distant  star  of  ever.ing,  whose  loveliness  we  love  to  gaze 
upon,  but  can  never  approach." 

"  Can  I  attain  to  this  lofty  summit  of  self-control  ?  "  inquired 
Debaena. 

"  Aye  !  "  was  the  response.  "  When  you  realize  the  loveli 
ness  of  the  immortal  beauty  I  offer  to  you." 

Debaena  was  again  thoughtful  and  silent.  Finally,  raising 
his  eagle-eyes  to  the  face  of  Zenayi,  he  said  : 

"  I  am  human,  but  I  will  try." 

"  Your  answer  is  noble,  Alfonso,  and  worthy  of  a  being 
guided  by  reason.  After  a  time,  I  shall  bring  you  face  to  face 
with  this  mystery,  and  rest  assured  your  devotion  to  the  mis- 


248  IRENE. 

tress  of  your  heart  will  be  sorely  tried.  Let  us  abandon  the 
subject  now.  Do  you  know  that  you  are  very  near  the  sea  ?  " 

"  I  have  believed  it,  Zenayi,  and  do  not  know  how  it  could 
be  otherwise,  as  your  cave  is  near  the  sea.  The  coral  forma 
tions  alone  would  tell  me  that." 

"  Once  the  sea  flowed  where  we  now  stand,"  replied  the 
Ghebre,  "but  volcanic  upheaval  has  doubtless  barred  it  out." 

Thus  conversing,  they  wandered  on  and  on,  exploring  the 
marvels  of  the  place,  until  Zenayi  warned  his  companion  that 
it  was  time  for  them  to  return.  They  regained  the  locality  of 
the  balloon  and  the  shaft  once  more,  where  I  >ebuena  wit 
nessed  the  process  of  inflating  their  balloon  from  the  apparatus 
carefully  placed  there  by  Zenayi.  Mounting  the  car  again,  the 
two  were  wafted  in  time  to  the  upper  cave,  and  regained  the 
light  of  day.  ......... 

When  Debaena  returned  to  the  capital  of  Persia,  he  found 
that  the  court  of  Teheran  were  engrossed  by  the  discussion  of 
a  foreign  beauty,  who  had  arrived  with  her  father  from  England, 
in  company  with  the  ambassador  from  that  nation.  She  was 
said  to  be  an  American  lady  travelling  for  pleasure  in  the 
East :  her  name  was  Madeleine  Delaplaine.  Her  attrac 
tions  of  person  and  intellect  were  reported  to  be  marvellous, 
and  it  was  said  that  she  was  a  great  favorite  in  the  royal  ande- 
roons  which  she  was  visiting,  and  that  the  Shah  had  treated  her 
with  marked  courtesy.  Debaena,  upon  receipt  of  this  start 
ling  intelligence,  was  thrilled  with  pleasure  and  excitement. 
His  boyhood  came  fresh  and  clear  upon  his  recollection  in  an. 
instant  ;  and  with  strange  emotion,  he  hastened  away  to  the 
palace  of  the  Shah  in  full  uniform  upon  the  reception  day,  when 
it  was  understood  that  the  beautiful  foreigner  and  her  party 
would  be  present  in  the  costumes  of  their  own  country.  Abbas 
Mirza  had  sent  a  messenger  to  his  favorite  commander  of 
horse,  urging  him  to  be  present  by  all  means,  as  the  stranger 
was  transcendently  lovely. 

At  the  appointed  hour  the  gallant  commander,  standing  near 
to  the  person  of  his  sovereign  in  company  with  the  other  dig 
nitaries  of  the  empire,  witnessed  the  entry  of  the  English 
ambassador  and  his  suite,  accompanied  by  the  American  lady 
and  her  father.  The  Shah,  with  infinite  dignity,  courtesy  and 
grace,  directed  the  party  to  be  seated  in  his  presence,  and  so 
near  that  conversation  was  readily  carried  on  in  the  English 
tongue.  The  voice  of  Madeleine,  unheard  for  so  many  years 
of  adventure  and  battle,  fell  upon  the  ears  of  Debaena  like 


IRENE.  249 

the  music  of  a  dream.  He  stood  erect  before  her,  a  few  paces 
distant,  and  for  a  time  she  did  not  see  him,  so  bewildered  was 
she  by  the  array  of  princes,  nobles  and  dignitaries,  who 
thronged  the  apartment.  Presently  the  splendor  of  his  attire 
as  a  member  of  the  Order  of  the  Sun  Lion  caught  her  atten 
tion.  Her  eyes  ran  over  its  details,  then  mounted  to  his  face, 
gazed  for  an  instant,  and  brightened  with  the  joy  of  recog 
nition.  She  knew  the  escaped  convict,  and  was  delighted. 
He  saw  it  all  —  her  surprised  look,  her  pleasure,  her  smile  of 
recognition.  He  bowed  slightly  in  return,  as  became  the 
reserve  and  caution  of  the  Persian  court ;  but  his  eagle  eyes 
full  of  joy  told  her  that  his  heart  was  still  the  heart  of  the  boy 
whom  she  had  befriended  and  loved  with  her  innocent  girl- 
heart.  With  admirable  self-control,  this  superb  loveliness 
betrayed  to  the  court  no  further  evidence  of  her  acquaintance 
with  the  favorite  commander,  but  sought  occasion,  by  her  fre 
quent  look,  to  notify  him  that  he  was  the  only  being  present 
whom  she  deemed  worthy  of  her  admiration.  There  was  no 
opportunity  for  him  to  address  her  during  the  royal  reception. 
It  would  have  outraged  the  decorum  of  the  Persian  court. 
But  as  she  passed  out  at  length  with  infinite  grace  from  the 
presence  of  the  Shah,  she  bestowed  upon  Debaena  a  look  so 
long,  eager,  and  full  of  interest  that  every  nerve  in  him  seemed 
to  thrill.  Her  style  and  beauty,  as  she  swept  away  from  the 
brilliant  scene,  were  well  calculated  to  make  princes  uneasy 
upon  their  thrones.  She  was  an  empire  in  herself. 

All  that  night  the  commander  of  horse  was  restless  upon  his 
couch.  Madeleine  had  come.  The  dreams  he  had  cherished 
of  her  growing  loveliness  —  of  her  beauty  maturing  into  per 
fect  womanhood,  had  been  realized.  His  miniature  was  a 
truthful  likeness  of  her.  She  was  faultless  in  form,  face,  move 
ment  —  a  dream  of  Paradise.  Aye  !  and  there  was  a  tremu 
lous  joy  in  his  heart  that  she  was  unchanged  in  soul.  She  had 
predicted  distinction  and  glory  for  him.  And  in  that  proud 
moment  of  his  life,  when  her  eyes  had  said  to  him,  "  You  have 
won  if,"  he  exulted  with  a  heroic  joy,  that  her  thoughts  had 
never  ceased  to  dwell  upon  his  career,  all  unknown  and  distant 
though  it  had  been.  Her  faith  had  been  firm.  Her  memory 
of  him  as  constant  as  "  Madeleine's  star."  And  then  the 
thought  came  to  him  —  "  Is  the  regard  of  that  superb  woman 
friendship,  or  is  it  love  ?  " 

On  the  following  morning,  a  note  came  to  him  in  all  the 
delicate  chirography  of  a  refined,  educated  woman. 


250  IRENE. 

"  Alfonso  Debaena  !  come  at  once  to  the  palace  of  the 
English  embassy.  I  told  my  father  that  I  recognized  you,  and 
with  him  and  me  your  secret  and  early  history  are  safe.  It 
appears  that  you  are  the  lion  of  the  Persian  court,  and  the  hero 
of  the  Russian  war.  I  knew  you  would  attain  the  summit, 
wherever  your  path  in  life  carried  you.  You  have  been  in  my 
thoughts  constantly,  all  these  long  years.  You  will  not  delay 
your  visit  to  your  earliest  friends,  but  come  at  once  to  see 

"  MADELEINE." 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

"Let  us  boldly,  in  pursuit  of  our  ambitious  wishes,  tlace  our  foot  on  the  head  of 
empire,  or  in  manly  bravery  sacrifice  our  lives  at  the  shrine  of  courage."  —  SULTAN 
AHMED. 

|  N  the  hush  of  the  summer  evening  a  lady  was  seated 
upon  a  divan,  in  the  palace  appropriated  to  the  use  of 
the  English  Embassy,  anxiously  awaiting  the  advent  of 
the  great  cavalry  commander  of  Persia.  The  soft  air 
of  the  night  fanned  her  fair  cheek  as  it  whispered  in  at  her  open 
window,  and  the  moonbeams  fell  upon  her  delicate  hands, 
and  her  white  dress  fashioned  in  the  style  of  a  far-distant  clinic  ; 
she  was  pensive,  anxious,  on  the  alert  for  the  sound  of  foot 
steps,  and  filled  with  a  vague  apprehension  that  some  dream  of 
her  life  was  on  the  eve  of  dissolution.  Was  his  heart  already 
gained  by  some  one  of  the  lovely  beings  who,  she  acknowledged 
to  herself,  were  the  most  perfect  women  in  the  world  ?  The 
exquisite  women  of  Persia  had  arisen  upon  her  consciousness 
as  a  new  creation.  From  the  moment  she  had  entered  the 
land  of  roses  and  heavenly  nights,  the  surpassing  loveliness  of 
Oriental  women  had  been  her  constant  surprise  and  study. 
With  that  dash  of  Circassian  and  Georgian  blood  in  them  which 
gave  them  their  fair,  soft  complexions,  and  with  that  willowy 
grace  peculiar  to  them,  and  unknown  to  any  other  race  of  fe 
males,  they  walked  and  danced  before  her  in  the  gardens  and 
halls  of  the  anderoons,  until  they  seemed  meet  companions  for 
the  countless  roses  and  flowers  of  Iran.  What  man  could  with 
stand  the  fascination  of  eyes,  lustrous  and  tender  with  the  soft 
passion  of  love,  and  the  red  lusciousness  of  lips,  which  sang 


IRENE.  251 

with  such  exquisite  pathos  the  songs  of  their  native  land  ?  She 
had  seen  in  one  day  in  Persia  more  beautiful  women  than  in 
England  and  America  in  a  month.  Unlike  the  great  mass  of 
females  of  the  last  two  countries,  these  Orientals  had  voices 
modulated  like  gentle  falls  of  music,  and  she  knew  how  power 
ful  was  this  charm  of  voice  upon  the  hearts  of  men.  The 
rapid,  nervous  step  of  Occidental  women,  so  repugnant  to  all 
refined  sense  of  the  graceful,  was  here  never  seen ;  even  the 
mother  who  bore  her  child  in  her  arms  across  the  anderoons, 
seemed  to  lull  the  little  one  to  rest  and  quiet  by  the  gentle, 
airy  movement  of  her  body  alone.  About  the  couch  of  the 
nervous  invalid  the  Oriental  woman  moved  like  a  spirit  of  grace 
and  noiseless  tread,  and  her  presence  conduced  to  peace  and 
sleep.  Discordant  sounds,  loud  laughter,  and  harsh  voices 
among  women  were  unknown,  and  even  in  their  mirth  and 
glee  these  Orientals  charmed,  but  never  startled.  What  wonder, 
then,  that  the  white-robed  stranger  with  the  golden  hair  and 
dark -brown  eyes  should  fancy  Alfonso  Debaena  had  been  en 
snared  by  charms  which  the  stern  and  hardy  so  intensely  relish  ? 

A  firm  tread  sounded  in  Madeleine's  ear,  a  slave  quietly 
pushed  aside  the  drapery,  and  Debaena  entered.  His  eyes  were 
full  of  the  joy  of  greeting,  but  he  was  slightly  pale,  which  gave 
a  darker  effect  to  the  long  military  moustache,  which  was 
parted  evenly  and  smooth  upon  his  lip.  He  was  very  beautiful ; 
the  same  classical,  manly  beauty,  which  had  first  charmed  the 
intellectual  Irene  in  the  gardens  of  the  deserted  village ;  his 
short,  raven  dark  hair  was  silky  and  smoothly  brushed.  Every 
detail  of  his  military  undress  was  scrupulously  clean  and 
orderly ;  his  features  were  delicately  chiselled  by  nature,  and 
retained  their  spiritual  type  by  that  abstinence  and  mental 
study  which  render  faces  delicate  and  intellectual  to  the  close 
of  life.  Something  of  the  majesty  of  Zenayi's  intellectuality 
seemed  to  hover  over  his  features,  for  the  Ghebre  had  trained 
him  to  a  habit  of  daily  intercourse  with  books,  which  he  sought 
eagerly  in  the  pauses  of  military  duty.  Like  a  bom  prince 
of  the  empire,  Debaena  approached  and  touched  his  lips  to  the 
hand  the  lady  extended  to  him  in  greeting ;  then  seating  him 
self  upon  the  divan  beside  her,  the  gates  of  the  past  were  flung 
open,  and  they  were  once  more  the  convict  boy  and  the  pity 
ing  girl  of  the  far-off  continent. 

"  You  knew  me,  then,  at  once,  Alfonso  ?  "  she  asked,  after 
a  long  recital  of  the  events  in  her  native  State,  which  interested 
him  as  being  connected  with  his  final  escape  by  sea. 


252  IRENE. 

"  I  could  scarcely  fail  to  know  you,"  he  replied,  "  having  in 
my  possession  a  likeness  of  you  as  a  woman  upon  which  I 
looked  so  often  that  every  lineament  was  burned  into  my 
brain." 

"  As  a  woman  ?  impossible  ! "  she  said ;  "  I  never  had  but  one 
likeness  taken  of  me." 

"  Is  that  it?"  he  replied,  producing  from  his  breast  the  min 
iature  brought  to  him  by  " Boshran" 

With  a  cry  of  amazement  she  took  it,  examined  it,  then 
looking  at  him,  inquired  : 

"  And  when  did  you  become  a  wizard  ?  This  is  mine,  and 
the  only  picture  ever  painted  of  me." 

He  was  contemplating  her  loveliness  with  eager  curiosity, 
and  the  glance  of  a  mountain-eagle  ;  his  admiration  was  mani 
fest,  and  a  flush  stole  over  her  cheek,  and  her  eyelashes  fell. 

"  Tell  me,"  she  continued,  looking  up  at  those  magnetic  eyes 
again,  "by  what  supernatural  messenger  you  gained  posses 
sion  of  this." 

"  A  bird  brought  it  to  me,  and  since  that  day  he  has  never 
left  me,  but  soars  above  me  wherever  I  ride  or  walk." 

••  Was  it  a  condor  of  the  Andes?" 

"  It  was  ;  but  how  should  you  know  this  ?  It  was  a  condor, 
which  fell  upon  my  camping  ground  as  if  from  the  very  heavens. 
Did  you  send  him  to  me  ?  " 

"  No,  Alfonso  ;  a  sea  captain  gave  him  to  my  father ;  we  kept 
him  in  a  cage,  and  one  day  an  officer  visiting  us,  who  proved 
afterwards  to  be  insane,  tied  my  miniature  to  him,  and  set 
him  free,  saying  'Go  like  the  eagle  to  Memphis,  and  make 
Rhodope's  fortunes.' " 

••  I  low  startling  this  wonderful  flight !  "  he  exclaimed  ;  "over 
thousands  of  miles  of  seas  and  mountains,  and  high  in  heaven 
through  the  clouds,  the  little  picture  of  my  friend  and  advo 
cate  sped  on  to  me.  Oh  !  I  have  lain  upon  the  battlefield, 
and,  too  weary  to  sleep,  have  looked  up  to  the  stars  and 
thought  of  Madeleine.  I  have  wondered  if  she  had  forgotten 
me  ;  if  she  remembered  the  predictions  she  had  made  of  my 
success  and  the  high  ideal  of  heroism  she  had  presented  to  my 
youthful  mind,  and  when  victory  perched  upon  my  standards 
I  have  longed  eagerly  that  she  might  know  it,  but  fear  re 
strained  me.  I  knew  that  when  a  girl  develops  into  a  woman 
the  tastes  and  friendships  of  her  early  life  often  pass  away  and 
are  supplanted  by  others.  Still  I  hoped  that  amid  all  who 
worshipped  your  beauty  of  heart  and  mind,  that  amid  your 


IRENE.  253 

throng  of  admirers,  sometimes  the  face  of  the  convict-boy 
might  rise  before  you,  and  you  dream  again  of  the  heroisms  to 
which  you  sought  to  arouse  his  soul." 

He  paused,  overcome  by  the  emotions  and  the  gratitude  of 
his  early  years. 

Madeleine  looked  for  a  moment  upon  his  bowed  head, 
bowed  to  conceal  the  emotion  which  he  would  retain  within 
his  control.  Then  she  spoke,  and  her  words  were  very  low 
and  gentle,  falling  upon  his  ear  like  music. 

"  Alfonso,  I  am  one  of  those  who  never  forget  the  friends 
of  my  childhood.  In  early  life  the  friendships  we  form  are  so 
much  more  unselfish  and  disinterested.  We  have  not  then 
learned  to  select  from  motives  of  policy  and  self-interest. 
Hence  our  purest  and  best  ideals  are  formed  then.  You  were 
the  ideal  of  my  girlhood.  I  looked  upon  you  as  noble  of  heart, 
and  yet  a  martyr;  as  bowed  beneath  a  load  of  unmerited  shame 
and  anguish,  and  yet  waiting  only  the  opportunities  which  God 
gives  to  assert  your  claim  to  the  highest  of  honors.  I  thought 
of  you  often  when  you  were  gone.  I  knew  not  that  you  were 
alive.  And  yet  when  I  came  to  know  so  many  men  of  culture 
and  of  intellectual  strength,  I  said  to  myself,  '  These  have  not 
suffered  the  anguish  of  the  innocent,  tortured  Alfonso.  They 
may  have  struggled  up  from  poverty  to  eminence,  but  they 
never  bore  so  painful  a  cross  as  he.  If  he  shall  surmount  all 
obstacles  with  this  reproach  of  the  prison  upon  him,  and  with 
this  anguish  of  shame  rending  his  heart,  then  is  he  greater  than 
all  these."  To  me  you  have  been  ever  the  star  rising  from 
the  gloom  of  the  dungeon." 

He  raised  his  bowed  head,  and  looked  upon  her  face  radiant 
with  her  earnestness  and  her  imperial  beauty.  Never  had  he 
seen  a  face  rivalling  that,  save  only  the  exquisite  countenance 
of  Irene.  Even  in  this  moment  of  renewed  admiration  for  hia 
boyhood's  friend,  he  could  not  forget  that  "  Coadjutor "  was 
the  most  beautiful  woman  in  Persia.  He  was  fully  conscious, 
too,  that  this  lovely  sister  of  Abbas  Mirza  exercised  upon  his 
life  a  potent  spell.  The  very  brilliancy  of  her  beauty  and 
talents  recalled  the  attractions  of  Statira.  And  now  in  the 
hour  of  his  exaltation  and  glory,  with  beautiful  women  by 
scores  looking  after  his  receding  form,  and  longing  for  converse 
with  him,  he  remembered  with  profound  gratitude  that  in  the 
critical  hours  of  his  life  both  Madeleine  and  Irene  had  ren 
dered  him  invaluable  service.  He  would  in  return  gladly 
recompense  them  by  every  means  in  his  power.  How  should 


254  IRENE. 

her  reward  them  ?  What  would  these  beautiful  women  desire 
from  him  above  all  else  ? 

But  he  was  looking  upon  Madeleine,  and  the  longer  he  con 
templated  her,  the  more  was  he  impressed  by  the  air  of  purity 
and  spirituality  which  enveloped  her.  Something  seemed  to 
say,  "  This  lovely  woman  is  guided  by  the  purest  and  holiest 
principle.  She  will  parley  with  wrong  under  no  circumstances. 
She  has  a  link  binding  her  to  God  and  Heaven,  which  no 
temptation  can  shatter.  She  will  suffer,  sacrifice  herself  and 
all  her  selfish  interests,  rather  than  forfeit  the  favor  of  Heaven." 
And  this  light  which  enveloped  her,  this  purity  which  seemed 
to  rise  and  fall  with  the  undulations  of  her  breast,  was  the  same 
which  had  given  her  the  charm  of  her  girlish  life,  the  same 
which  had  lingered  upon  his  memory  during  the  long  years  of 
separation,  and  had  seemed  to  find  expression  in  the  steady, 
luminous  light  of  "  Madeleines  star" 

In  the  soul  of  the  ambitious  man,  who  tramples  over  every 
barrier  of  moral  and  physical  restraint  to  gain  his  purpose,  ever 
lingers  the  consciousness  of  the  su{>erior  beauty  of  right.  The 
turmoil  of  the  worldly  contest,  the  delights  of  the  successes 
which  attend  a  career  of  unprincipled  action,  and  the  ebullitions 
of  the  energy  and  will  necessary  to  victory,  may  often  deaden 
and  obscure  the  sense  and  appreciation  of  pure  right.  But  the 
lucid  intervals  of  conscience  return,  and  the  soul,  created  in 
the  image  of  God,  bows  in  reverence  to  the  truth.  So  did  the 
soul  of  Debaena,  resolute  as  it  was,  trampling  over  everything 
which  blocked  the  way  to  victory,  ever  return  for  a  draught  of 
pure  water  at  the  fountain  where  Madeleine  was  priestess. 
Whenever  in  the  turmoil  of  life  he  encountered  a  pure  spring. 
a  serene  star,  a  glimpse  of  the  innocent  and  untainted,  he 
thought  of  her,  and  the  purest  emotions  of  his  boyhood  came 
;ng  their  way  back  to  him  like  heavenly  birds. 

Thus  influenced  by  the  pure  and  the  ideal  was  he  now,  seated 
beside  her  and  looking  into  her  exquisite  face.  He  sa\v  that 
her  nature  leaned  toward  his  nature,  that  in  some  way  she 
identified  him  with  herself,  that  she  trusted  and  believed  in 
him,  and  j>erhaps  at  his  suggestion  and  proposal  would  follow 
him  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  Should  he  make  to  her  this  pro 
posal  ?  The  thought  agitated  him.  There  was  so  much  of 
sweetness  in  the  very  idea  of  folding  this  pure  loveliness  to  his 
breast  forever,  that  his  heart  wanned  and  his  blood  glowed  like 
fire  within  him.  Then  with  sudden  revulsion  of  feeling  he  re 
called  the  Ghebre's  mysterious  warning,  that  he  could  only 


IRENE.  255 

worship  woman  as  the  far-off  star,  that  he  could  never  fold 
Madeleine  in  his  arms  if  he  hoped  to  gain  the  immortal  beauty, 
that  mysterious  loveliness  which  was  in  fact  the  acme  of  human 
power.  But  as  he  looked  upon  this  lovely  Madeleine,  he  real 
ized  that  the  struggle  was  becoming  fearful  between  the  human 
and  the  ideal  within  him.  Could  he  pass  an  entire  lifetime  near 
this  woman  and  never  approach  her  ?  Could  he  for  a  lifetime 
forbear  to  clasp  her  hand  in  his,  fold  his  strong  arm  about  her 
waist,  and  draw  those  lips  to  his  in  tenderness  ?  This  was 
essentially  sensual.  This  was  forbidden  to  the  aspirant  after 
the  immortal  beauty,  and  for  the  Ghebre's  third  and  last  great 
secret  his  ambitious  soul  was  already  uplifting  itself  in  the 
earnestness  and  determination  of  a  man  who  grasps  with  avid 
ity  "  the  highest  good." 

Something  in  his  look  attracted  her  attention  in  the  midst 
of  their  delightful  intercourse,  as  they  warmed  towards  each 
other  in  the  magnetic  sympathy  of  conversation  and  kindred 
natures,  and  she  said  : 

"  A  troubled  expression  has  come  into  your  eyes,  Alfonso. 
Something  discordant  is  crossing  the  current  of  your  thoughts. 
Tell  me,  tell  Madeleine  with  the  freedom  of  years  ago  what 
troubles  you." 

"  I  am  dreaming  of  power,  the  old,  old  ignis  fatuus  of  men 
in  all  ages,"  he  replied  ;  "  andstrangely  enough  your  presence, 
which  charms  me  to  excess,  suggests  to  me  that  I  cannot  have 
all  power." 

"  Why  cannot  you  have  all  the  power  that  a  reasonable  man 
desires?"  she  replied.  "  You  cannot  own  a  hemisphere,  but 
you  have  won  an  empire  of  hearts.  You  are  the  idol  of  Persia 
and  your  resources  for  pleasure  are  great.  The  women  of  Persia 
worship  you,  the  men  honor  you,  and  the  Shah  would  rather  lose 
his  right  arm  than  you.  So  he  said  to  me,  and  with  deep  feel 
ing  he  made  that  remark." 

"  I  would  have  the  power  over  a  woman,  and  fate  withstands 
me.  I  would  win  her  love,  but  a  mountain  looms  up  between 
me  and  her." 

"  Not  if  her  heart  is  free,  Alfonso  ;  no  woman  on  earth  know 
ing  you  would  refuse  you  if  her  heart  was  free." 

It  seemed  at  this  response  as  if  the  heart  of  Debaena  would 
burst  every  restraint  and  he  would  kneel  at  the  feet  of  the  su 
perb  woman  before  him.  He  arose,  paced  the  apartment,  and 
returned  to  her  in  deep  agitation,  entreating  her  pardon  for  his 
strange  conduct  and  restlessness. 


2$6  IRENE. 

"  I  cannot  sit  calmly  beside  you,  Madeleine.  Your  presence 
has  aroused  a  storm  within  me  which  neither  you  nor  I  can 
quell.  Oh  !  ambition,  ambition  !  you  are  an  eternal  agony.  In 
your  following  hearts  go  down,  the  calm  joys  of  life  are 
wrecked,  and  a  nervous  clutch  is  placed  forever  upon  the  heart 
that  feels.  I  cannot  win  the  woman.  Ambition  stands  before 
me  beckoning,  and  I  must  follow.  Pity  me,  Madeleine." 

The  woman  before  him  was  bewildered,  and  seeing  it,  Debaena 
exclaimed : 

"  Mystery  attaches  to  me  in  all  that  I  do  from  this  hour  for 
ward  Believe  me  when  I  say  to  you  that  to  be  near  you  is 
happiness  and  agony,  rest  and  unrest,  hope  and  despair. 
J  will  seek  you  often.  I  will  fly  from  you  capriciously.  I 
crave  your  society  at  the  same  moment  that  I  fear  it.  Now,  if 
you  think  me  a  madman,  dismiss  me  from  your  presence  forever. 
But  if  you  value  an  immortal  soul  do  not  send  me  away." 

Madeleine  was  ama/ed,  then  thoughtful.  At  length  she  said, 
"  I  will  do  anything  to  render  you  happy,  Alfonso.  And  since 
mystery  must  hold  its  veil  between  us,  suffer  me  to  say  once 
and  forever  that  your  happiness  is  of  inestimable  value  to  me. 
If  in  any  way  I  can  promote  it  I  am  your  friend,  ever  ready  at 
command.  Whenever  you  will  be  happy  by  coming  to  me, 
come.  Whenever  you  will  be  happy  by  leaving  me,  go.  I  will 
not  strive  to  penetrate  your  secret.  But  whenever  my  presence 
and  my  conversation  can  even  for  an  instant  cheer  your  heart 
or  your  life,  ask  them,  and  they  are  yours." 

11  You  are  sublime  in  your  friendship  to  me,  Madeleine,  and  I 
accept  your  gift,  which  is  priceless,  your  gift  of  your  society  and 
time  to  me  on  demand.  Perhaps  in  time  a  holier  influence 
than  ambition  will  gain  the  mastery  over  me.  Then  will  I  speak 
to  you  the  naked  truth,  then  will  you  know  the  struggle  through 
which  I  am  passing  now.  Then  shall  you  judge  the  Alfonso 
of  other  days  ;  and  perhaps  the  magnitude  of  the  interests  which 
are  involved  in  my  present  mental  struggle  will  then  plead  with 
you  for  me.  You  first  aroused  in  me  ambition.  If  that  ambi 
tion  has  become  inordinate,  you  will  forgive  me  if  I,  in  this  trial 
hour,  am  wavering,  undecided  and  unlike  myself." 

Again  the  low,  sweet  voice  of  the  woman  fell  upon  the 
soldier's  ear : 

"  I  would  rather  stimulate  you  in  a  noble  ambition  than 
impede  your  way.  So  unbounded  is  the  faith  I  have  in  you, 
that  I  know  unhallowed  ambition  is  not  in  your  thoughts.  That 


IRENE.  '257 

to  which  you  aspire  is,  in  the  sight  of  Heaven,  a  legitimate  ob 
ject  of  pursuit,  I  doubt  not." 

"  It  is,  it  is,"  he  exclaimed  ;  "  I  firmly  believe  it  to  be  such. 
He  who  holds  up  to  me  the  beckoning  hand  is  one  who  has  al 
ways  led  me  right,  one  whose  faithfulness  to  me  I  cannot  ques 
tion,  one  whose  counsel  has  made  me  a  purer  man,  a  more  self- 
denying  man,  a  better  friend  of  humanity  than  I  should  other 
wise  have  been." 

'*  May  I  ask  the  name  of  the  counsellor  who  has  gained  such 
veneration  from  you  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes ;  that  man,  that  benefactor,  that  friend,  is  Zenayi. 
You  have  heard  of  the  sage  of  Persia  ?  " 

"  Abbas  Mirza  told  me  of  Zenayi,"  she  replied.  "  In  his  es 
timation  Zenayi  is  one  of  the  purest  patriots  and  one  of  the 
most  cultured  intellects  the  world  has  ever  known." 

"  He  is  more  than  that,  Madeleine ;  he  is  a  firm  believer  in 
the  goodness  and  mercy  of  God,  the  Creator  and  Ruler  of  all 
things.  Ormuzd  is  the  title  applied  by  him  to  God.  But  that 
matters  not.  The  same  pure,  holy  overruling  Being  whom  the 
Christian  denominates  God,  Zenayi  worships.  When  the  morn 
ing  sun  lifts  in  the  east  he  falls  on  his  face  and  adores  his  Maker 
and  dedicates  the  day  to  His  service.  In  the  name  of  that  Being 
he  pardons  his  enemies  and  strives  to  live  justly  with  all  men." 

"Then  are  you  safe  in  his  counsel,  Alfonso,"  she  replied, 
"for  the  essence  of  truth  lives  in  him.  Shall  I  see  you  to 
morrow  ?  " 

"  If  you  desire  it.  I  would  gladly  see  you  every  day  during 
your  sojourn  in  the  East.  The  freshness  of  my  life  has  come 
again  with  your  presence,  and  though  a  beautiful  woman  has 
supplanted  the  girl,  I  am  bold  enough  to  call  you  only  Made 
leine." 

"  And  to  me  you  are  only  my  poor,  dear  hero-boy,  Alfonso. 
Come  to  see  me  when  you  can.  Farewell." 

She  pressed  his  hand  at  parting.  Her  smile  lingered  upon 
his  memory  when  he  was  alone,  like  that  of  a  pure  angel  of 
Paradise. 


2  $8  IRENE, 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

[ENAYI  drew  aside  a  curtain  of  scarlet  silk,  and  exposed 
to  the  view  of  his  companion  a  large  hall  paved  with 
white  marble.  The  walls  were  covered  with  books. 
It  was  a  royal  library,  and  every  book  was  bound  in 
red  morocco,  and  lettered  on  the  back  in  gold.  The  accumu 
lated  lore  of  the  East  for  ages  was  here  exposed  to  the  privi 
leged  few  who  gained  admittance.  A  silence  as  of  the  grave 
reigned.  One  might  well  fancy  Harpocrates  was  standing  at 
the  entrance  with  his  finger  on  his  lips.  Divans  covered  with 
scarlet  velvet  were  scattered  here  and  there  for  the  convenience 
of  students  ;  but  one  only  of  them  was  occupied.  The  hall  was 
deserted,  save  by  the  solitary  reader. 

"  Let  us  advance  and  confront  the  student,"  said  Zenayi. 

With  their  feet  in  scarlet  velvet  slippers  which  had  been  pro 
vided  for  them  in  the  ante-room  of  the  library,  they  moved 
noiselessly  down  the  marble  pavement  and  stood  before  the 
princess,  who  was  deeply  absorbed  in  the  small  volume  in  her 
hand.  The  startled  reader  looked  up  in  all  the  splendor  of  her 
unveiled  loveliness,  and  saw  her  instructor,  whom  she  cordially 
greeted  ;  but  at  sight  of  his  companion  she  felt  the  warm  blood 
mounting  to  her  cheek,  and  her  voice  slightly  trembled  as  she 
addressed  him : 

"  General  Debaena,  your  presence  is  an  honor  to  me.  The 
idol  of  my  country  is  as  welcome  as  a  prince  of  the  royal  blood. 
Be  seated  on  this  divan  with  Zenayi." 

"  No.  I  am  about  to  retire,"  said  the  Ghebre.  "  Alfonso 
sought  an  interview  with  you,  and  Abbas  Mirza  bade  me  con 
duct  him  to  your  presence.  I  shall  retire.  Farewell." 

Thus  speaking  the  sage  withdrew  and  left  them.  For  a  mo 
ment  Debaena  contemplated  his  companion  seated  beside  him. 
He  was  manifestly  embarrassed,  while  she  sat  with  her  eyes  cast 
down  and  awaiting  anxiously  the  announcement  of  the  cause  of 
the  sudden  intrusion  upon  her  privacy. 

"  Irene,"  he  said  at  length.  The  Princess  detected  at  once 
the  tremor  in  his  voice,  and  that  he  paused  at  that  single  word, 
unable  or  hesitating  to  speak  further.  She  remained  silent, 
with  her  eyes  still  bent  upon  the  marble  pavement. 

"Irene,"  he  said  again,  "what  is  the  greatest  mystery  of 
life?" 


IRENE.  259 

"  The  human  heart,"  were  the  simple  but  startling  words  which 
came  in  response.  They  were  the  echo  of  his  own  thoughts. 

"  You  amaze  me  by  the  utterance  of  my  own  secret  thoughts. 
Are  you  wizard  enough  to  tell  me  also  what  problem  is  before 
my  own  heart  waiting  a  solution  ?  " 

"  I  can  try,"  was  the  response,  as  she  still  sat  with  her  eyes 
cast  down. 

"  Then  tell  me,"  said  Debaena, 

u  You  love  three  women,  General  Debaena,  and  you  cannot 
decide  between  them." 

"By  the  Eternal  God!"  exclaimed  the  commander  of  the 
Persian  horse.  "  You  are  gifted  with  supernatural  discernment. 
You  have  spoken  the  truth.  Now  answer  me  once  again." 

"Well,  General  Debaena." 

"  If  the  three  women  knew  that  I  was  undecided  between 
them,  would  they  value  my  love  at  all  ?  Would  not  the  dilemma 
of  my  heart  disgust  each  of  them  with  me  forever  ?  " 

"  No,"  was  the  monosyllable  that  came  calmly  enough  in 
response. 

"  And  why  not,  Irene  ?  " 

"  Because  a  man  who  is  worthy  of  a  woman's  love  for  the 
inherent  qualities  in  him,  is  worthy  of  her  love  through  all  the 
stntggles,  dilemmas  and  contradictions  of  his  life." 

"And  could  you,  Irene,  love  a  man  who  could  not  decide 
between  yourself  and  two  others  ?  " 

"  I  could,  General  Debaena."  Then  she  added,  "  But  do 
not  give  me  credit  for  supernatural  powers  that  I  do  not  pos 
sess.  I  have  contrived  to  draw  out  from  the  superior  discern 
ment  of  your  friend,  Zenayi,  that  you  love  three  women,  and 
that  you  love  each  of  them  from  the  same  motive,  gratitude. 
This  is  not  singular.  It  is  a  common  experience  among  women. 
I  have  known  many  women  wed  whose  love  has  been  built  up 
upon  that  same  foundation,  gratitude.  The  little  kindnesses, 
one  by  one  and  oft  Repeated,  have  not  only  won  the  hearts  of 
women,  but  of  men  also,  —  have  not  only  won  the  hearts  of  the 
feeble-minded,  but  won  also  the  hearts  of  the  strong-minded." 

"  And  tell  me,  Irene,"  said  Debaena,  "  what  is  the  greatest 
test  of  a  woman's  love  ?  " 

"  To  marry  her  rival,"  was  the  instant  response. 

"  Will  not  her  love  then  die  gradually  out  and  be  forever 
lost?" 

" Never"  was  the  emphatic  response.     " There  is  little  true 


26O  IRENE. 

love  on  earth,  General  Debaena.  It  is  a  priceless  pearl.  Its 
counterfeit  is  everywhere." 

"Then  true  love  burns  on  like  an  eternal  lamp.  Do  you  be 
lieve  this,  Irene  ?  " 

"  With  all  the  earnestness  of  my  nature  I  believe  it.  True 
love  is  unselfish,  eternal,  craves  the  happiness  of  the  object,  no 
matter  in  whose  arms  he  may  be  folded." 

"  You  answer  differently  from  other  women.  Is  this  youi 
firm  belief,  Irene  ?  " 

"  I  know  it  to  i>e  the  truth,"  was  her  response,  as  she  for  the 
first  time  looked  up,  and  he  caught  the  lustre  of  her  eyes,  the 
most  glorious  eyes  in  intellect  and  beauty  in  all  Persia. 

A  tremor  passed  over  Debaena.  Some  mighty  emotion  was 
aroused  within  him,  and  he  hesitated  to  speak  from  the  inade 
quacy  of  words  to  convey  the  full  import  of  his  soul.  Then  he 
bowed  his  head  and  meditated  profoundly  and  long,  while  the 
Princess  Irene  regarded  him  with  intense  interest.  At  length 
she  said  : 

"  I  would  not  have  the  anxiety  upon  my  soul  that  you  have 
now,  General  Debaena,  for  worlds." 

"And  why  not?"  he  said,  still  sitting  with  his  head  bowed. 

"  Because  the  love  you  will  give  to  a  woman  will  be  blind  as 
superstition,  as  eternal  as  fate.  You  have  not  yet  passed  under 
the  absolute  control  of  love.  But  when  you  do,  you  will  sur 
render  all.  Wealth,  empire,  glory  will  shrivel  up  in  the  fire  of 
your  love,  and  be  forgotten.  Therefore  you  do  wisely  to  medi 
tate  and  meditate  long.  What  is  glory,  power,  affluence,  in 
comparison  with  the  love  of  a  human  soul, — a  soul  that  is  a 
prisoner  here  in  the  flesh,  but  beyond  the  stars  shall  be  of  the 
untrammelled  nature  of  Allah  ?  If  you  win  a  true  woman's  soul 
it  goes  to  the  stake  with  you.  It  lives  with  you  forever,  after 
the  period  of  life's  suffering*  in  the  eternal  paradise.  Love,  love, 
t  love  !  It  is  the  um/yin«  attribute  of  Allah." 

With  such  sweetness  of  tone  and  intennily  of  feeling  did  she 
utter  these  words,  that  as  he  looked  upon  her  radiant  counte 
nance  he  was  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  this  woman 
would  love  with  the  same  abandon  of  herself  as  had  distinguished 
her  patriotic  services  in  the  Russian  camp.  The  very  idea  of 
possessing  the  heart  of  a  woman  who  could  thus  vehemently 
and  eternally  love,  seemed  to  him  at  that  moment  to  be  the 
loftiest  eminence  a  mortal  could  ever  reach.  The  soul  of  the 
princess  seemed  to  be  on  fire.  Brilliancy  and  softness  alter 
nated  in  her  dark  eyes ;  her  bosom  heaved  with  emotion,  her  lips 


IRENE.  26l 

took  on  a  riper,  richer  color,  and  then  her  eyelashes  drooped  at 
his  gaze,  as  if  she  had  betrayed  too  much  of  her  inner  life. 

"  Irene,"  he  said,  "  could  you  indeed  love  without  hope, 
love  forever  without  hope  ?  " 

"  I  could,  General  Debaena,"  was  the  response,  as  she  again 
looked  down  upon  the  marble  pavement.  Then  she  contin 
ued  :  "The  words  of  Wasaf,  the  poet,  haunt  me  when  the 
eternity  of  true  love  is  mentioned.  Listen  to  the  music  of 
them  : 

"  '  The  impression  of  the  happy  moments  passed  in  thy  loved 
presence  will  never  be  obliterated  from  the  tablet  of  my  heart 
whilst  the  world  revolves  and  the  heavenly  bodies  continue 
their  course.  The  pen  of  intense  love  has  so  vividly  written 
Eternal  Affection  on  the  page  of  my  soul,  that  if  my  body  lan 
guish,  nay,  even  if  my  life  expire,  that  soft  impress  will  still 
remain.'  " 

At  the  delivery  of  these  words,  given  to  the  silence  of  the 
place  with  all  the  pathos  and  melody  of  the  Oriental  tongue, 
Debaena  was  filled  with  tenderness  and  would  have  cast  him 
self  at  the  girl's  feet  had  not  one  thought  restrained  him. 

"  Irene,"  he  said,  "  tell  me,  and  tell  me  truthfully,  out  of  the 
deep  convictions  of  your  heart,  to  what  extent  you  hold  a  lover 
to  be  bound  by  his  vows  of  eternal  affection  when  he  feels  that 
his  affection  is  passing  away,  that  in  a  moment  of  hasty  de 
cision  he  has  vowed,  aye  !  sworn  eternal  constancy,  and  he 
knows  that  he  has  been  precipitate,  and  that  he  has  not  really 
loved  and  does  no  longer  love." 

"It  would  be  madness  to  wed,  General  Debaena,  one  who 
did  not  possess  the  heart.  It  would  be  wrong  to  her,  wrong  to 
yourself,  wrong  to  society.  Tell  her  the  truth  and  bid  her  go. 
It  will  be  mercy  to  her,  true  mercy." 

"  Your  counsel,  Irene,  chimes  in  with  my  own  purpose.  I 
will  seek  her  and  tell  her  the  truth.  Then  will  I  return  to  you, 
with  your  gracious  permission,  and  speak  to  you  further  and 
clearer  upon  the  matter  which  has  brought  me  hither." 

"  Wisdom  is  swiftly  coming  to  the  aid  of  the  hero  of  Persia," 
she  said,  with  one  of  those  ringing  laughs  which  had  so  often 
greeted  his  ears  in  the  days  of  their  earlier  acquaintance. 
"  Go,  General  Debaena,  and  free  yourself  that  you  may  the 
better  grasp  the  inestimable  pearl  of  true  love  wherever  you 
may  find  it.  The  learned  have  said  of  the  excellence  of  Ze- 
hir's  poetry,  '  If  you  find  the  Diwan  of  Zchir  Fariabi  even  in 
the  holy  Kaabah,  hesitate  not  to  steal  it.'  But  I  say  to  you  that 


262  IRENE. 

if  you  can  catch  a  glimpse  of  true  love  to  which  your  own  heart 
responds,  trample  upon  every  intervening  object  to  clutch  it, 
and  when  you  have  it,  part  not  with  it  until  death." 

I  .irewell,  then,  Princess  Irene,"  he  said,  rising  to  depart. 
"  When  I  seek  your  presence  again  I  shall  bring  you  unex 
pected  tidings." 

She  watched  him  as  he  passed  noiselessly  away  and  then 
whispered  to  herself  the  sneer  of  Zehir  :  "  If  with  fine  and  mag 
nificent  dresses,  a  common  woman  may  become  a  respectable 
person,  then  dress  a  wolf  in  satin,  an  alligator  in  Abbasi." 


At  the  request  of  Zenayi,  Debaena  had  retired  to  a  part  of 
the  garden  remote  from  his  palace,  the  present  from  the  Shah. 
The  Ghebre  had  given  him  a  rose  and  desired  him  to  inhale  its 
fragrance  until  he  should  send  a  messenger  to  him.  The 
flower  by  Zenayi's  chemical  art  was  drugged,  and  the  soldier 
fell  asleep  upon  a  divan  in  the  shade  of  die  chinar  trees,  with 
the  murmur  of  a  rivulet  beside  him.  As  he  slept,  a  lady,  veiled 
but  graceful  as  a  sylph,  approached  gently,  and  stood  for  a 
moment  riveted  to  the  spot  by  the  charms  of  the  enchanting 
sleeper.  Then  she  seated  herself  upon  the  divan,  and  softly 
placed  his  head  in  her  lap.  The  unconscious  soldier  still  slept 
on,  but  in  his  dream  saw  the  most  perfect  beauty  his  eyes  ever 
beheld,  and  believed  her  to  be  a  princess.  In  ecstasy  he  started 
at  length  from  sleep,  but  awoke  to  the  real  and  exquisite  happi 
ness  of  beholding  a  being  hanging  over  him  with  the  attitude 
of  unspeakable  fondness,  and  recognized  her  figure  at  once  as 
that  of  the  mysterious  veiled  lady  of  the  andcroon.  Expres 
sions  of  love,  transport,  amazement  and  delight  followed  each 
other  in  rapid  succession,  as  he  half  arose  from  his  place  and 
beheld  attached  to  her  veil  the  badge  of  the  Order  of  the  Sun 
Lion  with  the  broken  point.  With  rapid  movement  he  tore  the 
veil  from  her  face  and  gazed  upon  her.  What  was  his  amaze 
ment  and  delight  to  discover  the  loveliest  face  upon  which  he 
had  ever  looked  Dark-blue  eyes,  large  and  tender,  with  long, 
dark  eyelashes,  and  a  mouth  that  seemed  to  plead  for  a  lover's 
kiss,  cheeks  fair  and  tinted  with  the  delicate  flush  of  a 
and  features  all  so  delicately  chiselled,  that  she  seemed  a  pure, 
fresh  creation  that  instant  dropped  from  the  gate  of  Paradise. 
Her  hair,  rich  in  its  brown  lustre,  was  wavy,  and  adorned  with 
delicate  and  tiny  white  myrtle  flowers  with  their  green  leaves. 
The  eyes  of  the  two  for  an  instant  timidly  contemplated  each 


IRENE.  263 

other,  then  with  a  simultaneous  impulse  and  instinct  they 
pressed  their  lips  together  and  indulged  in  a  long,  long,  tender, 
exquisite  kiss  of  love.  Rising  entirely  then  from  his  reclining 
posture,  Debaena  threw  his  arm  about  her  waist,  drew  her 
head  to  his  shoulder  and  gazed  long  and  tenderly  into  the  blue 
eyes,  which  looked  up  to  him  in  utter  abandon  of  love  and 
devotion.  Again  and  again  he  drank  the  nectar  of  those 
red  lips  which  denied  him  nothing  in  this  banquet  of  love,  but 
seemed  only  eager  to  yield  up  in  those  tender  kisses  the 
offering  of  a  woman's  soul. 

The  dreamy  hours  of  the  Persian  day  sped  on,  but  the  lovers 
knew  not  the  flight  of  time.  Utterly  and  passionately  folded  in 
each  other's  arms  they  alternately  murmured  of  love  in  words 
ever  varying  and  ever  sweet,  or  drank  from  each  other's  lips  the 
dew  of  young,  passionate  hearts.  For  them  was  the  perfect 
harmony  of  nature,  for  them  the  magnetic  thrill  which  passed 
from  breast  to  breast  as  they  pressed  each  other,  and  which 
called  forth  from  both  the  exclamation,  "  A  spark  !  a  star  !  a 
something  strange  but  beautiful  has  passed  from  your  breast 
into  mine."  And  still  as  the  roses  shed  their  fragrance  on  the 
air,  and  the  rivulet  murmured,  and  the  soft  atmosphere  trem 
bled  with  joy  they  clung  to  each  other,  kissed  passionately 
each  other,  and  whispered  of  that  endless  day  of  tenderness 
and  trust  which  now  had  dawned  upon  them  both.  Heart 
whispered  to  heart,  soul  vowed  to  soul,  or  tenderly  they  pressed 
cheek  to  cheek  in  that  silence  which,  more  potent  than  the 
sweetest  utterance  of  the  tongue,  tells  that  at  last  two  ardent 
hearts  have  found  peace,  perfect  rest,  perfect  isolation  from 
the  world,  its  cares  and  its  discordant  sounds,  and  bathed 
in  the  fullness  of  each  other's  love,  realize  no  existence,  no 
intelligence  foreign  to  themselves,  save  that  serene  face  of  God 
which  smiles  upon  their  union  from  the  star-girdled  throne 
above. 

And  the  birds  of  the  air,  wheeling  their  musical  flights 
through  the  garden,  came  to  listen  to  the  whispered  words  of 
the  lovers,  and  swaying  upon  the  branches  of  the  rose-trees 
near,  bent  their  little  heads  to  hear  the  sweet  sounds  of  love, 
and  catching  the  heavenly  notes  from  the  warm  lips  of  the 
'enraptured  pair,  trilled  them  forth  that  their  mates  might  come 
and  listen  too.  But  closer  and  closer  Debaena  drew  her  to 
himself,  and  more  dreamy  grew  their  tenderness  and  more 
abandoned  were  their  kisses  to  each  other,  until  a  half-uncon 
scious  languor  overcame  the  girl,  and  her  head  fell  back  upon 


264  IRENE. 

his  shoulder,  and  her  eyes  closed,  while  a  smile  of  exquisite 
beauty  lingered  on  her  half-parted  lips,  and  she  seemed  to 
dream,  then  feebly  roused  herself,  then  fell  back  upon  his  arm 
again,  and  slept  the  lover's  sleep,  sweet,  innocent  and  peaceful 
as  the  repose  of  a  babe. 

And  thus  her  lover  watched  her  in  manly  tenderness  and 
joy  in  the  delicious  silence,  or  bending  his  lips  to  hers  touched 
them  gently  and  withdrew  them  again  to  hold  his  love-watch 
over  her. 

And  once  a  face  looked  out  upon  them  from  the  depths  of 
the  fragrant  shrubbery,  and  with  eager  eyes  seemed  to  study 
this  mystery  of  nature,  this  realization  of  perfect  harmony,  this 
utter  isolation  of  two  beings  from  the  interests  of  mortals.  And 
as  the  splendid  eyes  grew  fixed  in  the  intensity  of  their  study 
one  might  have  detected  an  uneasy,  dissatisfied  look  upon  the 
face  to  which  the  eyes  belonged,  an  expression  which  seemed 
to  say  :  "  An  element  of  resistance  has  arisen  against  the  great, 
which  may  overpower  the  great.  The  finite  may  wage  success 
ful  war  with  the  infinite.  The  mortal  may  grapple  successfully 
with  the  immortal."  And  still  as  the  day  lulled  itself  away  in 
the  Persian  voluptuousness  of  clime,  and  the  evening  hastened 
and  the  shadows  lengthened  from  the  Occident,  the  spectator  of 
this  glimpse  of  paradise  held  the  shrubbery  parted  in  the  earn 
estness  of  his  curiosity,  and  watched  the  lovers  as  if  they  were 
his  offspring,  which  inexorable  fate  was  about  to  rend  from  him. 
And  thus  he  lingered  regarding  them  until  the  night  fell,  and  the 
luminous  stars  became  watchers  also  of  the  lovers  at  peace. 
Then  he  fled  noiselessly  away,  and  was  seen  no  more  by  the 
nightingales.  It  was  the  Sphinx  of  Persia,  Zcnayi. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 


"  ffmi>  ntitrt  it  lore  !  ktm  bitter  it   the  si^k  }  funv  distressing  it  absence  !    But 
alas  t  haw  easily  it  tkt  beloved  reconciled  to  it  f"  —  AAKIL.  KHAN. 

\VI  I.L  not  offer  to  you  the  immortal  beauty,  Alfonso, 
until  you  reali/e  perfectly  what  you  reject,  and  what 
you  accept.  The  gift  I  offer  you  must  be  chosen  after 
mature  reflection.  All  illusions,  all  false  impressions  must 
be  eradicated  from  your  mind.  You  must  know  what  you  are  giv- 


IRENE.  265 

ing  up ;  what  you  shall  gain.  Your  heart  is  vacillating  still. 
You  have  not  yet  decided  between  the  three  women,  although 
you  fancy  that  the  loveliness  you  have  folded  to  your  heart  in 
the  garden  is  your  final  choice.  I  believe  that  I  shall  now  free 
you  from  the  intensity  of  that  passion.  You  shall  at  least  have 
the  opportunity  to  form  a  cooler  judgment.  Come  on  now." 

Thus  speaking  Zenayi  led  the  way  into  the  royal  gardens  of 
Negauristan.  He  exhibited  the  ring  of  the  Shah  to  the  armed 
eunuch  who  guarded  the  portal,  and  the  slave,  bowing  low,  flung 
open  the  gate  for  them.  They  passed  into  the  enclosure,  and 
were  instantly  embraced  by  the  branches  of  the  rose-trees, 
which  grew  luxuriantly  along  the  wall.  Strange  emotions 
coursed  the  heart  of  Debaena  at  entering  once  more  the  scenes 
of  his  early  military  promotion  to  the  important  rank  of  Sar- 
kardah.  Here,  too,  had  he  met  the  lovely  being  who  was  now 
unveiled  to  him  and  whose  hand  he  might  any  day  claim.  But 
something  in  the  Ghebre's  words  troubled  him.  Could  the  in 
tensity  of  that  sweet  passion  ever  cool  ?  The  question  itself  he 
felt  to  be  an  infidelity  to  the  lovely  girl  who  adored  him.  But 
as  they  crossed  the  royal  garden  and  entered  the  rear  of  the 
palace,  curiosity  supplanted  for  the  time  every  other  emotion. 

The  Ghebre  found  ready  access  for  himself  and  companior, 
by  means  of  the  talismanic  ring.  Doors  flew  open  for  him, 
sabres  fell  with  their  points  to  the  pavement,  and  slaves  every 
where  bowed  reverentially  to  his  white-robed  dignity.  At  length 
they  arrived  at  an  apartment  whose  walls  were  draped  with  lav 
ender-colored  silk,  the  curtains  of  the  windows  of  the  same  color, 
looped  back  with  slender  chains  of  pure  gold,  the  carpet  white 
with  a  broad  gold-colored  border,  and  the  walls  covered  with 
oval  picture-frames  of  gold,  containing  portraits  of  the  beauties 
of  the  royal  andcroon.  Here  they  seated  themselves  while 
slaves  divested  them  of  their  heavy  clothing,  and  put  upon  them 
robes  of  white  silk  embroidered  in  lilies  of  gold.  Slippers  of  the 
same  material  and  pattern  were  put  upon  their  feet,  while  slaves 
were  bringing  them  bowls  of  sherbet  on  salvers  of  gold.  Thus 
lightly  clothed,  and  after  leisurely  refreshing  themselves  with 
the  cooling  sherbet,  the  two  friends  were  left  alone.  Then 
the  Ghebre  addressed  his  wondering  companion  thus  : 

"  By  the  connivance  of  the  all-powerful  Ayesha,  your  friend, 
but  whom  you  have  never  known,  I  am  enabled  to  present  to 
your  eyes  a  scene  which  will  live  in  your  memory.  What  you 
see  will  influence  you  despite  yourself.  But  I  entreat  you  to 
remember  the  teachings  I  have  given  you,  that  the  pure  and 

12 


266  IRENE. 

the  ideal  are  alone  worthy  of  the  truly  great  man,  alone  worthy 
of  you  whom  I  have  destined  for  the  possession  of  the  immortal 
beauty.  I  implore  you  to  remember  that  I  hold  in  reserve  for 
you,  upon  the  terms  I  have  mentioned  often,  a  wonderful,  sur 
passing  and  exquisite  gift.  Control  yourself  by  the  aid  of  Or- 
inu/.d  and  resolve  to  win  the  immortat beauty." 

The  Ghebre  then  advanced  to  a  curtain  of  lavender-colored 
silk,  with  a  white-silk  divan  pressing  against  its  lower  folds.  He 
bade  his  companion  be  seated,  and  uttering  the  following  words 
departed,  and  left  him  alone  :  "  Draw  the  curtain  when  I  am 
gone  and  study  the  scene  at  your  leisure." 

Debaena  sat  for  a  moment  in  silence,  inhaling  the  luxurious 
air  of  the  early  summer  which  entered  the  open  windows  laden 
with  the  perfumes  of  flowers.  Then  he  turned  to  the  curtain 
behind  him,  and  drew  it  aside.  He  first  saw  the  lattice  of  wood 
which  filled  the  window  opening ;  then  peering  through  this  he 
beheld  an  apartment  whose  top  opened  to  the  sky.  It  was  paved 
with  pink-colored  marble  and  its  walls  were  painted  in  arab 
esques  of  pink  and  gold.  In  its  centre  was  a  large  circular 
basin  of  marble  filled  with  clear  water,  around  whose  margin 
large  rose-trees  filled  with  flowers  were  drooping  their  heads. 
Scarcely  had  he  taken  in  the  quiet  scene,  when  merry  laughter, 
ringing  laughter,  which  he  recognized  at  once,  sounded  upon  his 
ears.  Then  he  heard  the  voices  of  girls  conversing  near  at 
hand.  Then  a  song  was  heard,  and  a  sweet-toned  harp  accom 
panied  the  voice.  While  he  listened  to  the  song,  the  laughter 
he  had  recognized  drew  nearer.  Then  he  heard  the  same  voice 
talking  gayly,  so  that  every  word  was  clear  and  distinct  to  him. 
Nearer  and  nearer  she  came,  but  he  heard  no  footfall.  Then  a 
vision  of  loveliness  burst  upon  his  view,  noiselessly  approaching 
the  marble  basin.  It  was  the  form  of  Madeleine  Delaplaine, 
perfectly  nude,  but  brilliant  in  her  perfection  of  beauty  and 
grace,  and  with  her  golden,  luxuriant  hair  gathered  in  a  knot  at 
the  back  of  her  head.  She  paused  an  instant  upon  the  rim  of 
the  bath,  plucked  a  rose  from  its  tree,  inhaled  the  perfume,  and 
then  placing  the  stem  of  the  flower  between  her  pearly  teeth, 
plunged  into  the  water  like  an  accomplished  diver,  and  rising  to 
the  surface,  swam  around  the  basin  with  the  graceful,  easy 
movement  of  one  long  accustomed  to  the  art.  After  a  time 
the  exquisite  creature,  faultless  in  form  as  mother  Kve,  climbed 
to  the  rirn  of  the  bath,  and  drawing  to  her  a  cushion  of  pink 
which  lay  near,  stretched  herself  at  ease  upon  the  marble  pave 
ment,  and  with  her  elbow  on  the  cushion,  and  her  slender  hand 


IRENE.  267 

supporting  her  head,  watched  the  movements  of  some  one  to 
whom  she  was  talking,  and  who  evidently  was  preparing  for  a 
bath  also. 

The  instant  Debaena  looked  upon  the  faultless  girl  he  won 
dered  at  the  brillancy  of  her  beauty.  Then  he  murmured  to 
himself,  "  Dear,  dear  Madeleine,  you  are  lovely  as  an  angel. 
Face,  form,  soul,  all  perfect.  There  can  be  no  immortal  beauty, 
no  gift  of  the  Ghebre  equal  to  you."  Then  he  bowed  his  head 
upon  the  lattice,  and  closing  his  eyes  dreamed  of  the  purity  and 
sweetness  of  this  girl's  attachment  to  him,  of  the  long,  long  years 
her  thoughts  had  clustered  about  him,  and  idealized  him,  and  of 
the  trust  she  reposed  in  his  nobility  and  honor.  And  then  he 
looked  at  her  again,  and  found  her  still  reposing,  with  the  gla 
mour  of  innocence  and  purity  enveloping  her.  "  I  could  love 
her  in  the  ideal  way  indicated  by  Zenayi,"  he  whispered  to  him 
self.  "  Nay,  more,  I  do  believe  I  so  love  her  now.  My  heart 
rests,  seems  to  rest  in  the  physical  sweetness  of  my  mysterious 
love  of  the  royal  anderoon.  But  about  this  Madeleine  my  inner 
soul,  the  royal  in  me,  seems  to  hover,  and  I  long  to  be  as  pure 
and  lovely  in  my  soul  as  she.  Is  she  the  queen  of  my  better 
nature  ?  Is  she  the  angel  from  heaven  who  is  sent  to  guard 
me,  and  in  the  form  of  perfect  humanity  appears  before  me  to 
remind  me  of  the  superiority  of  the  spiritual  over  the  material  ? 
Is  not  the  Ghebre  right  ?  Is  not  the  perfection  of  true  love 
utterly  ideal?  Ha!  what  approaches  now?" 

Another  girl  was  approaching  the  bath,  shorter  than  Made 
leine  and  with  darker  hair.  The  type  of  her  beauty  was  fuller 
and  more  sensual.  Her  form  did  not  fulfill  the  expectations 
aroused  by  the  exquisite  loveliness  of  her  face.  Debaena  recog 
nized  her,  too,  and  was  amazed,  startled,  pained.  As  she  stood 
hesitating  upon  the  brink  and  looking  into  the  water  he  experi 
enced  a  sensation  akin  to  that  which  the  true  horseman  feels 
when  looking  upon  the  formation  of  a  steed  he  exclaims  : 
"  That  is  not  a  thoroughbred.  The  symmetry  of  perfect  blood 
is  wanting."  Alas  !  alas  !  This  was  the  being  he  had  clasped 
in  his  arms  in  the  garden  and  from  her  lips  had  drunk  such  rich 
draught  of  kisses.  This  was  the  lovely  face  which  had  in  lan 
guor  fallen  to  sleep  upon  his  arm,  and  over  which  he  had  watched 
that  delicious  watch. 

"  Strange,  mysterious  Zenayi,"  he  murmured  to  himself. 
"How  well  you  know  the  depths  of  a  man's  heart!  I  am 
indeed  free  of  my  illusions  now.  And  she  is  the  girl  I  fancied 
a  dream  of  Paradise.  Why  did  the  inscrutable  Maker  of  our 


268  IRENE. 

race  join  such  a  lovely  face  to  such  a  sensual  body.  Alas  !  the 
surpassing  loveliness  of  Madeleine,  now  that  they  appear 
together,  unfetters  my  heart  from  this  unknown  girl,  and  it  is 
free  again,  pleading  for  an  owner.  Oh  !.  how  I  crave  to  be 
loved,  loved  by  an  exquisite  being  all  light,  all  tenderness,  all 
angelic  in  her  beauty." 

And  as  Debaena  watched  the  two  alternately  bathing  in  the 
limpid  waters  and  resting  upon  the  marble  pavement,  he  caught 
again  the  tenderness  he  had  once  felt  for  Madeleine.  She 
must  be  the  wife  of  his  body,  and  the  wife  of  his  soul.  At  her  feet 
must  he  plead  for  her  hand.  Naught  in  the  realm  of  true  love 
liness  and  worth  could  equal  this  Star  of  the  West.  His  love 
for  the  unveiled  girl  of  the  anderoon^  his  intense  passion  for 
her,  was  passing  away.  Something  in  her  form  told  of  mixed 
blood.  A  low  type  had  blended  with  a  higher  type,  a  poor  with 
a  richer  blood,  and  this  girl  recalled  to  him  now,  as  she  had  to 
the  discerning  Irene  in  the  library  of  the  Shah,  the  words  of 
Zehir  the  poet :  "  If  with  fine  and  magnificent  dresses  a  common 
woman  may  become  a  respectable  person,  then  dress  a  wolf  in 
satin,  an  alligator  in  Abbasi." 

Presently  other  girls,  perfectly  nude  like  the  two  who  had  pre 
ceded  them,  approached  and  entering  the  bath  swam  about,  or 
seating  themselves  in  every  posture  of  grace  and  ease  upon  the 
rim  of  the  basin,  jested  and  laughed  together,  or  in  frolic  dashed 
the  water  over  each  other.  Beautiful  and  graceful  in  every 
limb  were  many  of  them,  and  like  the  Oceanides,  the  nymphs 
of  the  sea,  they  seemed  to  be  the  spirits  of  the  crystal  element 
in  which  they  sported.  Several  of  them  clustered  about  Made 
leine  as  she  reclined,  admiring  her  foreign  and  rare  type  of 
beauty.  All  had  the  dark  hair  of  the  Orient.  Madeleine  alone 
was  crowned  with  gold. 

After  a  time  Zenayi  returned  and  beckoned  the  spectator  of 
this  novel  scene  away.  The  curtain  fell  and  the  dream-like 
loveliness  vanished.  As  they  resumed  their  own  costumes  and 
passed  out  from  the  palace  into  the  open  country  again,  the 
Ghebre  said : 

"  Will  you  wed  now  the  unveiled  girl  of  the  anderoon,  she 
who  wore  the  badge  of  the  Sun  Lion  upon  her  veil  ?  " 

Debaena  was  silent 

"  The  point  of  honor  is  perplexing  you,  Alfonso,"  said  his 
friend. 

"  Yes,  I  have  sworn  to  love  her,"  was  the  soldier's  response. 

"  But  can  you  love  her,  Alfonso  ?  " 


IRENE.  269 

"  I  fear  not.     A  revulsion  of  feeling  has  come." 

"  Are  you  bound  by  an  oath  to  do  that  which  is  impossible  ? '' 
inquired  the  Ghebre. 

Debaena  smiled.     Then  he  replied  : 

"  No,  but  what  shall  I  say  to  her  ?  " 

"  Tell  her  a  revulsion  of  feeling  has  come,"  replied  his 
friend. 

"  I  fear  I  must  do  that,  Zenayi.  But  who  is  the  girl  ?  "  The 
Ghebre  placed  his  finger  upon  his  lips.  That  sign  was  suffi 
cient  for  the  soldier.  It  informed  him  that  the  subject  was  not 
to  bj  discussed,  and  that  the  girl  must  remain  a  mystery.  In 
vain  had  Debaena,  when  her  arms  were  about  him  in  the  garden 
at  their  last  interview,  sought  to  ascertain  the  details  of  her  rank 
and  history.  She  had  replied  to  the  effect  that  all  inquiries  as 
to  her  origin  must  be  made  directly  to  Zenayi.  After  the  two 
had  walked  for  a  time  in  silence  the  soldier  said  : 

"  You  alone  appear  to  have  the  power  of  granting  or  refusing 
an  interview  with  her.  I  will  not  see  her  again.  To  you  I 
intrust  the  duty  of  saying  to  her  that  we  must  part  forever." 

"  It  is  well,"  replied  the  Ghebre.  "  One  of  the  three  obsta 
cles  to  the  attainment  and  ownership  of  the  immortal  beauty 
has  vanished,  and  sooner  than  I  expected.  There  are  but  two 
impediments  now." 

"You  are  right,  Zenayi.  The  obstacles  are  Madeleine  and 
Irene." 

"  No  woman  can  satisfy  the  heart,  Alfonso,"  replied  his 
friend.  "  That  fearful,  eternal  craving  after  love  which  haunts 
the  human  heart,  that  agony  of  apprehension  that  old  age  may 
come  with  all  its  weaknesses  and  decay,  and  find  the  hungry 
heart  more  famished  still,  that  lonely  anguish  which  wakes  the 
man  from  his  sleep  to  tell  him  '  you  will  be  forever  alone,'  can 
never  find  its  perfect  solace  on  the  earth.  The  beautiful  crea 
ture  that  you  wed  and  who  seems  for  a  time  to  be  equal  to  all 
the  demands  of  this  heart-hunger  will  in  time  change.  The  two 
mortals  who  fancy  that  in  their  union  is  perfect  peace  and  har 
mony,  for  a  few  years  live  in  a  sweet  delirium  of  joy.  Then 
arise  discordant  interests.  The  man  discovers  that  the  chil 
dren  who  are  born  to  him  usurp  a  portion  of  that  lov«  which 
he  believed  to  be  utterly  and  absolutely  his  own.  Less  and  less 
grow  the  attentions  of  his  wife  to  him.  The  children  steal 
more  and  more  of  her  time  and  tenderness  from  him,  and  the 
better  and  purer  and  nobler  the  mother,  the  more  does  the 
man  appreciate  the  truth  that  he  is  often,  often  alone.  Then 


2/0  IRENE. 

the  ambitions  of  the  man  strengthen  with  his  years.  To  gain 
his  ends  more  and  more  of  his  time  must  be  spent  away  from 
her.  He  believes  that  all  his  labors,  exertions  and  absences 
from  home  are  for  the  purpose  of  securing  wealth  or  power  that 
his  wife  and  children  in  their  ever-increasing  needs  may  be  pro 
vided  for.  And  thus  two  earnest  hearts  find  themselves  draw 
ing  farther  and  farther  apart,  and  the  heart  hunger  in  them 
cannot  be  satisfied  as  of  yore  by  actual  presence,  because  their 
rime  for  heart-communion  is  more  and  more  limited.  Once  to 
mem  constant  presence  seemed  to  be  the  perfect  fruition  and 
only  realization  of  love.  Now  that  has  become  impossible. 
The  man  sighs  often  '  I  am  alone.'  The  wife  whispers  to  her 
self,  '  How  can  he  leave  me  so  much  alone.'  Trust  not  the 
illusions  of  married  love,  Alfonso.  Love  is  only  a  dream 
through  which  many  must  pass  and  to  which  there  comes  a 
terrible  awakening.  Alas !  the  noblest  hearts  pass  through 
many  such  dreams  and  never  learn  philosophy.  Therefore 
would  I  have  you  early  shake  off  this  fearful  illusion  of  love, 
and  seize  the  immortal  beauty  which  may  be  yours.  This  is 
the  true  height  of  human  happiness,  which  you  may  gain  by  a 
strong  effort  of  the  will.  From  the  elevation  I  can  lift  you  to, 
you  can  survey  the  affairs  of  men  with  calmness  and  con 
scious  mastery,  and  look  upon  the  loves  of  women  as  trivial 
matters,  as  the  mere  motes  which  glisten  in  the  sunbeams." 

As  the  Ghebre  concluded,  he  looked  earnestly  upon  the 
face  of  his  beautiful  friend,  and  in  his  eyes  Debaena  saw  again 
that  wondrous  light,  that  consciousness  and  grasp  of  immensity 
which  had  become  the  marvel  and  the  awe  of  all  Persia. 
From  that  gaze  the  soldier  seemed  to  take  in  magnetic  am 
bition  to  his  own  soul.  From  those  eyes,  so  fearfully  and  yet 
exquisitely  fashioned,  he  seemed  to  draw  the  inspiration  of  a 
limitless  desire,  and  yet  they  set  him  dreaming  of  his  own  ear 
liest  and  vague  recollections.  The  beautiful  eyes  dazzled  him. 
The  possession  of  all  worldly  power,  glory,  riches,  seemed  to 
reign  there.  The  eyes  seemed  to  say,  "  We  have  gained  all 
that  the  human  heart  can  desire." 

It  was  this  consciousness  that  Zenayi  had  attained  super 
natural  eminence  that  ever  haunted  Debaena' s  brain,  and  a 
thirst  to  stand  at  an  equal  altitude  was  ever  raging  within  the 
soldier's  heart.  The  temptation  to  abandon,  forever  the  sen 
sual  in  love  that  he  might  gain  this  prize  seemed  at  certain 
moments  of  spiritual  exaltation  to  utterly  overpower  him,  and 
at  those  times  he  believed  the  struggle  with  his  own  human 


IRENE.  271 

passions  would  be  brief  and  the  victory  over  them  easy.  And 
now  with  one  beautiful  illusion  dissolved  in  an  instant  by  the 
scene  at  the  bath,  secured  for  him  by  the  Ghebre's  power  and 
influence,  he  wondered  if  he  might  not  with  equal  facility  be 
rid  of  all  female  illusions.  But  as  he  reflected  he  remembered 
that  all  his  years  had  seemed  to  him  to  be  wasted,  and  all  his 
ambitions  and  successes  tame  if  he  could  not  have  some 
human  being  to  share  his  trophies,  to  be  the  light  of  his  life 
and  to  satisfy  the  hunger  of  his  heart.  The  craving  to  love 
and  to  be  loved,  to  caress  and  to  be  caressed  in  turn,  to  have 
eyes  brighten  and  flash  joy  at  his  coming,  and  a  heart  to  grow 
sick  and  faint  when  he  was  absent,  these  had  seemed  to  him 
to  be  indispensable  to  his  happiness  and  peace.  But  now  the 
demand  was  made  upon  him,  "  Renounce  the  love  of  woman 
forever.  Thus  only  shall  you  be  equal  to  the  Ghebre." 

"  Oh !  Zenayi,  my  friend,"  he  exclaimed,  "  two  powers  are 
waging  war  in  my  heart.  Love  and  ambition  struggle  for  the 
mastery.  I  aspire  to  the  highest,  and  yet  my  heart  bids  me 
beware  lest  in  abandoning  love  I  abandon  that  which  yields 
the  sweetest,  most  intense  joy  on  earth." 

"  Too  well  I  know  the  intensity  of  your  struggle,"  replied 
the  Ghebre.  "  Too  well  I  know  how  sweet  is  the  hope  of  a 
woman's  love  to  a  young  heart.  But  in  proportion  to  the  pain 
of  the  self-denial  is  the  splendor  of  the  compensating  gift. 
You  have  not  even  dreamed  a  dream  like  the  effulgent  scenes 
and  powers  which  attend  the  possessor  of  this  amazing  gift. 
For  it  kings  would  yield  up  their  thrones,  conquerors  break 
their  swords,  women  abandon  their  children,  and  sages  burn 
the  libraries  of  the  world.  Do  not  despair  of  winning  it,  Al 
fonso.  Bend  every  energy  of  your  powerful  will  to  crush  the 
sensual  in  you.  Those  who  trample  upon  the  sensual  are 
pure,  and  qualified  for  the  receipt  of  this  inestimable  prize. 
But  it  is  not  and  cannot  be  the  reward  of  all  who  are  qualified 
thus.  A  chosen  few  can  share  it.  I  have  the  power  to  offer 
it  to  you.  It  is  within  your  reach  now,  but  the  time  is  short 
within  which  you  can  avail  yourself  of  the  offer.  If  you  re 
fuse  it  within  the  limited  time,  you  lose  your  chance  forever." 


272  IRENE. 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

"  When  they  conceived  that  I  was  perfect  in  science,  they  honored  me  with  the  title  of 
•  Tk*  Ornament  of  Persia.'  "— KHAKAMI. 

[GAIN  the  Princess  Irene  was  a  solitary  student  in  the 
royal  library.  The  fascination  of  diving  into  the  rare 
volumes  which  were  the  favorites  of  her  former  in 
structor,  Zenayi,  was  strong  upon  her.  The  influ 
ence  of  that  wonderful  intellect  had  from  her  earliest  recollec 
tions  been  potent  in  fashioning  her  literary  tastes.  Study  had 
become  a  second  nature  to  her,  and  she  realized  the  force  of 
the  Ghebre's  words  :  "  In  anguish  or  in  the  oreru'/iclmin^  cur 
rent  of  cares,  fly  for  an  Jwur  to  some  book  which-  engrosses  the 
intellect;  then  will  you  rise  refreshed  for  a  new  conflict  with 
fate." 

The  Ghebre  had  watched  the  dawning  of  the  girl's  intellect 
with  profound  interest.  With  rare  skill  he  had  directed  her 
readings  for  years,  and  now  in  the  full  bloom  of  her  young 
womanhood  he  knew  her  to  be  the  most  scholarly  woman  in 
the  empire.  Though  he  appreciated  the  diplomatic  character 
of  her  mind,  knew  that  she  would  intrigue  boldly  for  herself 
and  the  few  friends  she  acknowledged,  and  had  used  her  to 
further  his  own  schemes  at  the  Persian  court,  still  he  loved 
her,  and  was  true  as  steel  to  her  under  all  vicissitudes.  Next 
to  his  darling  Debaena  he  valued  her.  He  would  forward  any 
scheme  of  Irene's  concocting,  save  one.  That  one  was  an  ef 
fort  to  gain  possession  of  the  great  cavalry  commander's  heart. 
Should  she  ever  manifest  a  purpose  to  win  Debaena,  he  re 
solved  to  thwart  her.  But  no  indication  of  such  a  purpose 
had  ever  his  penetrating  eyes  discovered.  He  was  satisfied  at 
last  that  her  regard  for  the  great  soldier  was  a  noble,  exalted 
friendship,  and  when  this  conclusion  was  reached  the  Sphinx 
was  at  ease,  for  he  had  determined  to  exalt  Alfonso  far  above 
any  height  to  which  her  efforts  could  lift  him.  To  attain  this 
ineffable  altitude  it  was  essential  that  Debaena  be  incumbered 
with  no  love  for  mortal  woman. 

JJut  one  day  the  Sphinx  was  suqjrised  by  a  letter  from  Irene, 
requesting  that  he  would  immediately  visit  her  for  a  consulta 
tion  regarding  Debaena' s  advancement,  and  that  the  soldier 
should  be  a  party  to  the  conference.  When  Zenayi  and  the 
commander  reached  the  royal  library  they  found  the  princess 


IRENE.  2/3 

as  usual  absorbed  in  study.  On  this  occasion  she  was  exam 
ining  a  rare  and  beautiful  manuscript,  written  in  the  finest 
Nastaalik  character  by  the  famous  scribe,  Muhammed  Husein, 
honored  with  the  title  Zerin  Kalm,  or  "  The  Pen  of  Gold." 
Sixteen  eminent  painters  had  contributed  to  the  embellishment 
of  this  volume.  The  leaves  of  the  manuscript  book  were  of 
soft,  silken  Kashmirian  paper,  and  of  modest  shades  of  green, 
blue,  brown,  and  fawn  colors,  so  that  the  eye  was  never  offend 
ed  by  their  glare,  although  richly  powdered  with  gold.  In 
parts  of  Persia  there  is  almost  a  continuous  glare  from  the  sun, 
and  the  eyes  are  affected  painfully  from  reading  from  white 
paper. 

The  girl  looked  up  from  her  study  and  greeted  her  friends, 
who  seated  themselves  on  either  side  of  her  on  the  divan. 

"  You  did  not  honor  me  with  a  visit,  General  Debaena,  after 
your  purpose  was  carried  out  of  discarding  the  fair  one  who 
was  so  artfully  put  forward  by  Ayesha  as  to  deceive  even 
Irene." 

General  Debaena  answered  in  surprise,  "  So  this  artifice  of 
the  veil  was  the  work  of  the  powerful  Ayesha ;  and  you  were 
deceived.  This  must  be  the  first  time  in  your  life  that  a  plot 
was  woven  within  the  inner  meshes  of  your  plot  and  you  failed 
to  detect  it  with  your  keen  eyes. 

"  Yes ;  Ayesha  deceived  me,  and  your  lips  were  so  dis 
creetly  sealed  regarding  the  veiled  beauty  that  I  had  no  ques 
tion  as  to  her  being  Ayesha." 

" And  why  should  Ayesha  send  a  substitute  in  her  place? 
Who  is  the  mysterious  girl,  the  heroine  of  the  veil  and  the 
broken  star  ?  " 

"  Hush  !  "  interposed  the  Ghebre.  "  That  name  must  not 
be  divulged  now.  Wait  for  the  natural  disclosures  which  time 
will  make.  But  you  have  summoned  us,  Irene.  We  await 
your  communication." 

"  It  is  in  the  interest  of  General  Debaena  that  I  have  sum 
moned  you,"  she  replied. 

"  Well,"  said  the  Ghebre. 

"  The  favorite  commander  of  Persia,"  replied  the  princess, 
"  must  aspire  to  and  must  obtain  the  place  of  Mirza  Sheffy." 

"  The  attempt  would  be  presumption  and  the  failure  would 
be  disastrous,"  replied  Zenayi. 

The  eyes  of  the  soldier  glistened  with  pride  and  delight  at 
the  boldness  of  Irene's  proposition,  and  he  listened  eagerly  to 

12* 


274  IRENE. 

the  discussion.  The  girl  detected  his  pleasure  and  hope,  and  a 
smile  played  about  her  beautiful  lips. 

"There  is  no  such  word  as  presumption,  Zenayi,  for  the 
fearless.  The  bold  win  that  which  they  dare  aspire  to.  I 
know  the  failure  might  be  disastrous.  But  there  shall  be  no 
failure." 

"  So  said  your  royal  brother,  Irene,  at  the  opening  of  the 
Russian  war." 

"  Abbas  Mirza  is  not  Irene,"  she  replied  with  dignity. 

"No!"  said  the  Ghebre,  "I  must  do  you  justice.  You  did 
oppose  the  commencement  of  that  war.  But  how  would  you 
dispossess  so  potent  a  dignitary  as  Mir/a  Sheflfy?  His  ability 
is  recognized  throughout  Persia.  The  precedents  of  the  em 
pire  are  antagonistic  to  your  plans.  He  has  the  royal  blood  in 
his  veins.  No  other  stock  can  hope  to  win  that  high  position." 

"You  have  forgotten,  Zenayi,"  replied  the  persistent  prin 
cess.  "  The  man  may  aspire  to  the  position  who  is  allied  to 
the  royal  family.  Such  marriages  have  carried  men  to  that 
post  of  honor  and  may  carry  men  there  again." 

The  eyes  of  Debaena  were  flashing  now.  He  sprang  to  his 
feet  and  stood  before  the  two  in  his  eagerness.  But  he  \vas 
silent.  His  eyes  met  the  eyes  of  the  princess  in  gratitude. 
The  girl  saw  it  and  renewed  the  discussion. 

"  General  Debaena  is  the  favorite  of  the  people.  The  Shah 
knows  it.  My  father,  moreover,  cherishes  a  regard  for  him 
equal  in  intensity  to  that  of  the  most  loyal  subject." 

"  But  Ayesha  will  fight  for  Mirza  Shetfy  and  ruin  those  who 
oppose  her,"  said  the  Ghebre  firmly. 

"Not  if  her  own  daughter  weds  Debaena.  I  defy  you, 
Zenayi,  to  refute  me  now." 

The  Ghebre  started  as  if  a  thunderbolt  had  fallen  at  his  feet. 
Turning  to  Debaena,  who  stood  erect,  he  said  sternly  — 

"  Never  wed  the  daughter  of  Ayesha,  never,  as  you  value  the 
advice  of  Zenayi.  What  Irene  proposes  is  feasible  in  the  light 
with  which  she  now  invests  her  plan.  To  me  she  is  incom 
prehensible  now,  but  for  you  it  is  manifest  as  the  day  she  cher 
ishes  a  noble  friendship.  For  your  advancement  she  will 
trample  down  her  prejudices  and  her  animosities,  and  this  man 
ifestation  of  herself  has  made  her  great  in  my  eyes.  But  do 
not  wed  the  daughter  of  Ayesha.  Remember,  Alfonso,  remem 
ber." 

Again  that  deep,  deep,  mysterious  voice  pleading  with  the 
soldier  in  the  interest  of  the  immortal  beauty.  What  was  the 


IRENE.  2/5 

great  secret  which  seemed  to  beckon  the  ambitious  chief  on 
and  still  on  ?  What  value  rested  in  the  secret  which  could 
render  trivial  the  ambitions  of  the  Persian  court  now  so  tempt 
ingly  offered  him  at  the  hands  of  the  wonderful  Irene  ?  When 
first  she  suggested  a  marriage  into  the  royal  family,  a  thrill 
passed  over  his  heart.  He  fancied  that  she  would  be  the  link 
to  unite  him  to  the  potent  monarch  of  Persia.  But  this  was 
not  her  pleasure.  Her  acute  intellect  had  planned  for  him  an 
alliance  with  the  daughter  of  Ayesha,  "  the  power  behind  the 
throne."  This  would  indeed  make  him  the  prime  minister  of 
the  empire.  For  Ayesha  would  acquiesce  in  the  fall  of  Mirza 
Sheffy.  This  result  was  as  certain  as  fate.  If  Debaena  should 
ask  the  hand  of  Irene  for  himself,  he  was  confident  that  the 
noble  Abbas  Mirza,  her  brother,  would  lend  his  powerful  influ 
ence  to  secure  the  marriage.  This  result  might  win  him  the 
place  of  Mirza  Sheffy.  But  Irene  had  boldly  struck  for  the 
certainty.  Once  married  to  the  daughter  of  the  powerful  Aye 
sha,  Debaena' s  advancement  was  as  certain  as  an  axiom. 

A  strange  emotion  passed  over  the  commander's  heart.  He 
had  fancied  that  the  princess  was  inclined  to  regard  him  more 
tenderly  than  any  other  of  his  sex.  But  now  the  disinterested 
nature  of  her  friendship  was  manifest.  She  was  advancing  his 
interests  with  the  calm  tenderness  and  zeal  of  a  sister.  Of  the 
power  of  Ayesha  he  knew  that  Irene  had  ever  been  jealous. 
Trifles  had  told  him  this.  Zenayi  had  told  him  this.  But  now 
in  her  zeal  for  him  she  was  proposing  an  alliance  with  the 
daughter  of  her  rival.  This  he  acknowledged  to  be  friendship 
of  the  purest  type. 

But  the  Ghebre  was  awaiting  his  decision.  The  mysterious 
eyes  of  the  priest  were  upon  him.  The  beautiful  eyes  of  Irene 
were  upon  him.  One  offered  him  the  highest  rank  under  that 
of  the  Prince  Royal  of  Persia ;  the  other  offered  him  an  un 
known  power,  a  vast,  vague,  undefined  sovereignty  which  per 
haps  would  give  him  a  sceptre  on  the  borders  of  the  super 
natural.  Which  should  he  choose,  the  love  of  woman  and  a 
certain  empire,  or  the  shadowy,  phantom-like  promises  of  the 
Ghebre  ?  The  eyes  of  the  girl  were  dazzling  in  their  eagerness. 
The  eyes  of  Zenayi  were  luminous  in  their  wonderful  depths 
of  expression,  and  about  the  lips  of  the  mysterious  man  that 
familiar  smile  was  playing,  that  perplexing,  persuasive  smile  of 
calm  superiority.  This  seemed  to  exercise  a  mighty  fascination 
over  the  commander.  He  gazed  upon  the  calm,  intellectual, 
superb  face  of  his  friend  until  all  power  of  resisting  the  ambition 


276  IRENE. 

recalled  by  that  look  seemed  to  melt  away  from  him.  He 
reached  forth  his  arms  to  the  white-robed  priest  and  said  with 
firmness: 

"  I  am  strongly  tempted  by  the  Princess  Irene,  but  I  can 
not  wed  a  woman  I  do  not  love.  I  will  follow  the  advice  of 
Zenayi." 

The  Ghebre  folded  his  arms  about  the  soldier  and  said  to 
him  tenderly  :  "  Boy,  you  have  chosen  well.  Your  reward  will 
be  great" 

Debaena  was  surprised  by  the  calmness  with  which  the  prin 
cess  heard  the  final  decision  so  disastrous  to  her  scheme.  It 
was  natural  that  the  vanity  of  the  woman  should  be  offended. 
She  had  carefully  planned  the  alliance  and  spread  the  tempta 
tion  before  the  ambitious  soldier,  confident  of  success.  The 
influence  of  the  Ghebre  was  stronger  than  her  own.  She  was 
utterly  foiled.  Still  she  manifested  no  dismay.  She  only 
smiled  and  said  : 

"It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  the  most  astute  intellect 
in  Persia  can  hold  forth  inducements  to  an  ambitious  man 
greater  than  any  a  girl  can  offer.  I  was  earnestly  bent  upon 
securing  for  General  Debaena  a  position  where  he  could  dis 
play  to  advantage  his  great  abilities,  and  where  he  could  win 
new  laurels,  which  the  army  could  never  yield  him  in  times  of 
peace.  The  motive  of  the  girl  cannot  be  misunderstood.  It 
was  the  desire  to  recompense  exalted  merit." 

"  I  am  honored  by  your  words  and  by  your  project  so  flatter 
ing  to  me,  Coadjutor,  and  the  memory  of  them  will  follow  me 
to  my  grave.  But  I  have  learned  that  when  Zenayi  counsels 
me  to  avoid  a  particular  line  of  action  his  counsel  is  dictated 
by  the  highest  wisdom,  and  invariably  results  to  my  advantage. 
And  the  additional  reason,  ample  in  itself,  that  I  should  be 
wretched  wedded  to  a  woman  I  did  not  love,  must  have  its  full 
effect  upon  you  who  have  stated  to  me  your  belief  that  when  I 
did  love  that  love  would  be  utterly  absorbing." 

"  Love  and  ambition,  General  Debaena,  are  rarely  found 
together  in  this  world.  Fate  generally  decrees  that  the  fruition 
of  perfect  love  must  exclude  the  successes  of  ambition.  Else 
would  this  earth  be  Paradise  and  the  realms  of  Allah  have  no 
charms  for  mortals.  Allah  grant  that  you  may  be  one  of  the 
few  who  revel  in  perfect  love  and  perfect  realization  of  the 
dreams  of  ambition." 

She  looked  upon  the  gifted  soldier  long  and  earnestly.  Her 
eyes  were  full  of  intellectual  beauty  and  her  face  wore  the 


IRENE.  277 

expression  of  a  rich,  warm,  ardent  nature  susceptible  to  the 
sweetest  and  the  grandest  emotions.  Jt  was  a  source  of  de 
light  to  Debaena  to  possess  the  earnest  regard  of  so  beautiful 
and  gifted  a  creature  as  "  The  Ornament  of  Persia,"  a  woman 
whose  life  seemed  to  be  spent  in  schemes  for  his  advancement 
and  glory.  The  exalted  type  of  her  loveliness  and  grace,  the 
sweetness  of  her  speech,  and  the  richness  of  her  intellectual 
culture  were  calculated  to  ensnare  the  heart  of  a  man  far  less 
susceptible  to  the  charms  of  her  sex  than  the  impetuous  com 
mander  of  horse  who  confronted  her.  The  Russian  war  had 
taught  him  how  Irene  could  plot  and  suffer  for  that  which 
engaged  her  heart.  There  was  an  intensity  of  feeling  in  the 
girl,  a  depth  of  sentiment  which  some  day  must  encircle  a  man 
like  a  wall  of  fire,  eternal  and  constant.  Was  not  the  love  of 
that  gifted  princess  worthy  the  solicitation  of  an  ambitious  man  ? 
Would  not  the  love  of  Irene  fully  and  grandly  satisfy  a  great 
want  of  his  nature  ?  As  these  questions  awoke  afresh  within 
him  they  caused  his  dark  eyes  to  regard  her  with  more  tender 
ness  than  he  was  aware  of.  An  answering  light  seemed  to 
awake  in  the  eyes  of  Irene,  and  the  Ghebre,  watchful,  admit tru 
to  himself  that  never  had  he  encountered  a  couple  so  hand 
some  and  so  apparently  designed  by  nature  for  each  other  as 
his  two  pupils  before  him.  He  detected  the  magnetic  fire 
kindling  in  the  glances  of  their  eyes,  and  hastened  to  part  them 
before  the  possible  mischief  could  be  done.  He  knew  that  if 
this  couple  loved,  the  revulsion  of  feeling  which  had  followed 
the  love  scene  of  the  garden  could  not  occur.  The  two  before 
him  were  the  perfect  adaptation  of  nature.  If  once  they  loved 
their  parting  would  arouse  a  tempest  of  agony.  The  immortal 
beauty  might  not  be  powerful  enough  to  wrest  the  sceptre  from 
Irene. 

And  so  the  Sphinx  parted  them  at  once,  and  nurried  Debaena 
away  with  the  words, 

"  Come ;  the  day  of  the  great  trial  is  at  hand.  The  hours 
are  precious  to  us  now,  and  we  must  prepare  for  the  journey." 

"  And  will  you  leave  Teheran,"  inquired  Irene,  "  for  a  long 
absence  ?  " 

"  It  will  be  the  absence  of  weeks,  Irene.  But  you  are  to 
meet  us  at  our  journey's  end.  Abbas  Mirza  and  the  Shah 
have  given  their  assent  to  my  meeting  you  at  the  foot  of  Ararat. 
I  have  proposed  to  them  to  instruct  you  in  the  geological  for 
mation  of  that  mountain.  You  will  be  sent  thither  with  an 


278  IRENE. 

armed  escort,  and  the  American  lady  with  the  golden  hair  will 
accompany  you." 

"  They  have  justly  named  you  the  Sphinx  of  Persia,  Zenayi," 
replied  the  amazed  Irene,  "and  when  you  speak  the  word  I 
gladly  follow  the  Sphinx." 

"  Abbas  Mirza  will  give  you  the  day  and  hour  of  your  de 
parture  after  a  consultation  with  the  stars.  Until  that  journey 
is  complete,  guard  yourself  from  every  frivolity,  and  by  inner 
contemplation  prepare  for  a  contingency  which  may  realize  for 
you  the  attainment  of  an  object  which  you  once  told  me  was 
the  brightest  dream  of  your  life." 

"  Impossible  !"  she  exclaimed,  "that  I  can  be  near  the  day 
of  that  effulgence.  And  may  I,  Irene,  hope  for  this  acme  of 
delight?" 

"  No.  It  may  be  near  to  you  and  still  elude  your  grasp. 
But  I  would  have  you  ready  for  a  contingency  which  may  yield 
you  the  fulfillment  of  that  sweet  dream." 

There  was  a  mysterious  sympathy  between  Zenayi  and  the 
lovely  girl,  a  knowledge  of  some  possible  fruition,  which  puzzled 
the  commander  of  the  Persian  horse.  But  he  surmised  that  in 
some  way  it  concerned  himself.  He  had  no  time  for  words, 
however,  as  the  Ghebre  hurried  him  away.  As  he  passed 
through  the  parted  drapery  at  the  end  of  the  library,  he  looked 
back.  Irene  had  not  resumed  her  book,  but  was  looking  after 
him,  and  their  eyes  met  once  more.  He  kissed  his  hand  to  her 
before  he  vanished,  and  a  blush  stole  to  her  cheek. 

When  the  commander  regained  the  seclusion  of  his  own 
palace,  he  wandered  into  his  quiet  garden  and  seated  himself 
beside  his  favorite  fountain.  In  his  hands  were  the  two  min 
iatures  once  more.  Again  he  studied  them,  and  dreamed  of 
the  originals  who  occupied  now  so  much  of  his  time  and 
thoughts.  Dark  hair  and  golden  hair,  the  Oriental  and  the 
Occidental,  which  should  he  choose  ?  In  the  two  had  nature 
exhausted  her  treasury  of  gems.  The  types,  so  opposite,  and 
yet  so  exquisite,  bewildered  him.  One  was  not  more  beautiful 
than  the  other.  One  was  not  more  graceful  than  the  other. 
It  was  difficult  to  define  the  differences  in  their  intellects.  If 
one  might  be  pronounced  the  stronger  intellect,  it  was  Irene. 
But  the  soldier  corrected  himself  in  the  laner  conclusion  by  re 
calling  the  fact  that  he  had  enjoyed  comparatively  little  oppor 
tunity  of  seeing  Madeleine's  strength  of  character  and  mind 
tested.  He  had  lived  to  a  certain  extent  for  years  under  the 
dazzling  influence  of  Irene.  Time  and  trials  had  proved  hej 


IRENE.  2/9 

worth.  But  Madeleine  had  been  a  reminiscence,  a  girl,  a 
youthful  creature  idealized  by  absence,  and  exercising  over 
him  fascination  by  the  mere  potency  and  halo  of  a  boy's  mem 
ory.  Now  like  a  pure,  fresh  creation  she  had  fallen  to  him  as 
if  from  Paradise.  Could  he  love  her  with  the  full,  developed 
powers  and  character  of  manhood  upon  him  ?  Would  she  love 
with  the  intensity  of  which  the  Persian  was  capable  ?  That 
thought,  intensity,  seemed  to  halo  the  head  of  Irene  like  a 
circle  of  scarlet  fire  ;  while  about  the  pure,  blonde  brow  of 
Madeleine  was  a  soft,  spiritual  glamour  which  told  of  a  sooth 
ing  nature,  a  peaceful,  calm,  loving  nature,  which  would  eter 
nally  love,  and  by  its  serenity  lull  the  man  of  her  choice  to 
happiness  and  peace.  One  would  dazzle,  cling  to  him,  fire  his 
soul  to  the  loftiest  ambitions,  and  arouse  every  intensity  of  his 
heart.  The  other  would  sit  calmly  beside  him  in  loving  sym 
pathy,  and  with  her  fair  hands  part  hallowed  from  unhallowed 
ambitions,  and  influence  his  soul  to  avoid  all  that  might  bar  the 
light  which  fell  upon  it  from  Heaven.  The  soldier  was  in  a 
dilemma.  How  should  he  solve  the  problem  of  beauty  ? 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

|  N  the  little  chapel  of  the  Armenian  monastery,  on  one 
of  the  slopes  of  Mount  Ararat,  the  commander  of  the 
Persian  cavalry  was  standing,  engaged  in  studying  the 
details  of  the  sanctuary.  He  was  alone,  and  silence 
reigned  in  the  holy  place.  Curiosity  had  drawn  him  thither, 
and  finding  that  the  church  was  entirely  deserted,  he  deter 
mined  to  examine  the  details  of  this  repository  of  Christian 
symbols.  The  soldier  had  been  baptized  in  his  infancy  in  the 
Christian  church  to  which  his  mother  had  belonged.  So  she 
had  informed  him,  and  the  memory  of  her  words  had  remained 
with  him  always  as  a  link  binding  him  to  the  Christian  faith. 
There  was  but  a  vague  idea  in  his  mind  as  to  the  sacramental 
tie  which  united  him  with  the  church  of  his  dead  mother.  But 
nevertheless  through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  life,  and  the  oblivion 
which  worldly  pursuits  entail,  he  remembered  that  his  poor, 
struggling  mother  had  been  a  Christian.  Thus  even  when  he 
became  a  Mohammedan  for  the  purpose  of  securing  a  position 


280  IRENE. 

in  the  Shah's  body-guard,  he  noticed  particularly  that  the 
Christ  whom  she  had  adored  as  God  VMS  held  in  high  venera 
tion  as  one  of  the  great  and  true  prophets  of  the  Persian  state 
religion.  But  to  the  girl,  Madeleine,  he  owed  more  of  his 
knowledge  of  the  tenets  of  Christianity  than  to  any  other 
person.  The  labors  and  poverty  of  his  mother  had  given  her 
little  opportunity  for  developing  in  her  child  the  proper  rever 
ence  for  holy  things.  From  his  earliest  childhood  he  had  been 
taught  to  run  here  and  there  for  his  bread,  finding  employment 
wherever  he  could,  and  thus  he  had  been  withdrawn  from  his 
mother's  direct  influence,  and  had  been  seldom  with  her.  He 
had  vague  recollections  of  a  church  where  she  had  taken  him 
occasionally  in  early  childhood.  But  there  was  nothing  dis 
tinct  in  his  mind  regarding  dogmas  and  worship,  until  the  girl, 
Madeleine,  his  early  friend,  endeavored  to  instill  her  own  faith 
in  his  heart.  With  her  teachings,  imperfect  as  they  were,  he 
had  fought  the  battle  of  life,  and  when  the  temptation  came  in 
Persia,  he  abandoned  the  church  of  his  mother  and  of  Made; 
leine  with  little  remorse.  Faith  had  really  taken  no  strong 
hold  upon  his  heart.  He  was  too  ambitious  to  allow  his 
thoughts  to  dwell  upon  the  affairs  of  the  future  life.  And  (hen 
the  influence  of  the  Ghebre  had  unconsciously  wrought  in  his 
mind  a  reverence  for  the  past,  the  past  which  was  before  Christ 
came.  He  saw  in  Zenayi's  religion  some  influence  which 
made  him  just  to  men  and  reverent  to  God,  and  this  upon 
cursory  view  he  deemed  all  that  was  essential  in  religion.  If 
the  religion  of  the  ancient  Magi  inculcated  this  morality,  what 
need  could  there  have  been  for  a  later  religion,  or  manifesta 
tion  of  God  ?  The  subject  interested  him,  however,  but  little. 
There  was  in  him  a  certain  innate  liberality  which  made  him 
extend  the  hand  of  charity  to  all  men  who  appeared  to  be  true 
and  just,  whatever  form  of  religious  faith  they  espoused. 

Once  he  had  asked  Zenayi  his  opinion  of  Christ,  and  received 
in  response  these  words :  "  He  was  the  purest  man  who  ever 
lived,  and  His  teachings,  if  followed,  would  turn  the  hearts  of 
all  men  to  Ormuzd." 

But  now  the  soldier  stood  alone  in  a  Christian  place  of  wor 
ship,  and  studied  the  decorations  and  peculiarities  of  an  altar 
and  sanctuary  of  that  faith  ;  it  was  all  Greek  to  him  — gold  and 
silver,  brass  and  wood,  lights,  colors,  pictures  —  what  did  they 
all  mean  ?  He  could  comprehend  the  reverential  awe  which  at 
tended  the  Ghebre' s  movements  when  he  prayed  to  the  skies 
in  their  immensity  of  space,  and  towards  the  distant  lights  of 


IRENE.  28 1 

• 

the  heavens,  which  suggested  the  vast  and  incomprehensible 
power  of  their  Creator,  who  doubtless  dwelt  in  the  immensity 
of  space  beyond  these  eternal  and  luminous  creations ;  but 
worship  which  was  restricted  by  a  roof  of  man's  creation,  and 
whose  symbols  were  the  tinsel  of  a  day,  was  incomprehensible 
to  him.  The  roof,  as  his  thoughts  would  at  that  moment  soar 
to  the  contemplation  of  God,  seemed  to  bind  in  his  soul  to 
earth,  and  to  suffocate  him  like  the  roof  of  a  low  cavern.  He 
walked  to  the  door  of  the  chapel,  and  looked  upward  to  the 
serene  skies  above  the  ice-clad  peak  of  Ararat,  and  his  soul 
seemed  to  break  loose  at  the  pure,  free  vision.  "  Aye  !  "  mut 
tered  Debaena,  "  there  is  my  God,  when  I  shall  choose  to  shake 
off  the  trammels  of  scheming  ambition ;  there  is  the  sanctuary 
to  which  I  shall  look  to  realize  God." 

"  And  what  will  you  do  for  a  sanctuary  for  the  poor  prisoners 
who  languish  in  dungeons,  General  Debaena;  shall  they  not 
worship  as  well  as  you  ?  " 

The  voice  was  startling  but  sweet,  and  close  behind  him. 
She  had  entered  the  chapel  from  the  opposite  side,  and  cross 
ing  to  his  side  of  the  church  had  overheard  him  talking  to 
himself. 

"  Beautiful  vision,"  exclaimed  the  soldier,  as  he  turned  and 
beheld  her  like  an  angel  clothed  in  white  ;  "  I  knew  you  would 
be  here,  but  never  dreamed  you  would  come  so  soon." 

"And  I,  Alfonso,  never  dreamed,  since  dreaming  is  the 
poetic  term  for  thought,  that  I  should  find  you  in  a  Christian 
church  meditating  upon  the  unseen  and  the  eternal." 

"  Yes,  we  all  at  times  soar  in  contemplation  to  the  supernat 
ural  realms  ;  this  is  the  evidence  of  our  immortality.  Do  you 
know  at  the  instant  you  startled  me  so  I  was  diving  into  a  sea 
of  meditation,  suggested  by  the  great  poem  of  Jelaluddin  ;  this 
sublime  poem  on  Divine  Love,  and  the  Sufi  Philosophy,  you 
must  read  to  divest  yourself  of  any  narrow  idea  exclusive 
Christian  readings  may  have  given  you  that  the  fire  of  divine 
enthusiasm  is  confined  to  any  one  sect  or  country.  All  peoples 
are  the  beloved  of  God  and  purity  of  thought  and  purpose 
live  throughout  the  earth.  We  shall  all  be  judged  by  a  God  of 
love,  and  shall  find  that  we  are  indeed  his  children." 

"  True,  true,  Alfonso,"  she  replied ;  "  but  we  must  each 
follow  conscientiously  the  light  which  is  in  us." 

"  I  accept  that  test,"  he  replied.  "  I  have  never  yet  followed 
conscience  strictly,  but,  doubtless,  some  day  I  shall  yield  to  it 
implicitly;  but  when  that  day  arrives  I  know  that  my  heart 


282  IRENE. 

• 

and  my  religion  will  impel  me  to  love  and  cherish  all  men  who 
live  strictly  up  to  the  faith  they  profess." 

"Then,  Alfonso,  you  will  love  very  few.  Hut  come  with 
me  before  this  altar,  which  is  not  an  altar  of  my  church,  and 
lisien  to  the  reading  of  those  prayers,  which  long,  long  years  ago, 
when  you  were  in  trouble,  seemed  to  soothe  your  wounded,  out 
raged  heart.  Come  with  the  girl  Madeleine  of  other  days,  and 
listen  to  the  prayers  she  read  you  then.  Come.  You  will 
find  them  still  as  sweet,  as  beautiful,  as  soothing,  as  in  that  far- 
off  land  they  were  then.  Come.  We  are  two  children  again." 

With  irresistible  sweetness  of  tone  and  manner  she  drew 
him  through  the  deserted  chapel,  and  they  knelt  once  more 
together  in  prayer;  he,  with  uncovered  head,  and  silent,  lis 
tened  to  the  sweet  voice  of  his  early  friend,  as  before  the  altar 
of  a  Christian  church  she  poured  forth  in  low  tones  the  words 
of  the  heart-touching  prayers  of  the  English  church,  and  as  he 
listened  to  the  simple  but  majestic  words  of  the  heart,  calling 
apon  the  mercy  of  the  holy  God  and  Father  of  all,  memories, 
aspirations,  holy  impulses  of  other  days  came  crowding  upon 
him,  and  the  tenderness  of  his  heart  was  aroused  from  its 
mighty  depths,  and  he  longed  to  be  a  partaker  in  the  simple 
and  childlike  trust  Madeleine  so  evidently  possessed  in  the  truth 
and  sublimity  of  her  faith ;  and  his  eyes  were  upon  the  girl  as 
she  prayed,  and  the  sweetness  and  purity  of  her  soul  were 
manifest  in  her  face.  Into  the  chapel  window  glanced  a  pencil 
of  sun-beams,  and  looking  for  something  sweet  to  caress  they 
fell  upon  her  cheek  and  golden  hair,  and  glorified  her  as  she 
prayed,  and  to  the  eyes  of  the  soldier  this  seemed  a  celestial 
testimonial  to  the  purity  and  loveliness  of  the  girl.  There 
seemed  to  him,  at  that  moment,  to  be  a  protection  for  the  be 
leaguered  soul  in  the  simple  companionship  of  Madeleine  ;  the 
heaving  of  her  breast,  the  melody  of  her  words,  the  tenderness 
of  her  supplication,  and  the  magnetism  of  her  presence, 
worked  upon  his  sense  of  the  innocent  and  the  beautiful,  like 
the  sleep  of  a  pure,  lovely  infant  in  perfect  repose. 

And  when  the  prayers  were  finished,  and  for  a  few  moments 
she  bowed  her  head  in  meditation  and  secret  communion  with 
God,  as  in  the  days  long  gone,  he  felt  a  tremor  creeping  over 
him,  and  his  eye  moistened,  and  a  sweet,  heavenly  purpose  of 
living  a  spotless  life  stole  over  his  heart,  and  he  bowed  his  head 
also  in  recognition  of  the  divine  inspiration  which  was  upon 
him.  Then  Madeleine  arose,  and  with  a  smile  led  him  away 
from  the  chapel.  ... 


IRENE.  283 

The  Armenian  monks,  aware  of  the  distinguished  persons 
who  were  honoring  them  with  a  visit,  made  every  effort  to 
render  them  comfortable  during  their  sojourn  on  Mount  Ararat. 
Zenayi,  with  that  liberality  of  sentiment  which  made  him  so 
great  a  favorite  throughout  the  empire,  had  often  persuaded 
Abbas  Mirza  to  donate  money  and  supplies  to  the  good  monks, 
and  they  ever  in  return  greeted  him  as  a  friend  in  the  occa 
sional  solitary  expeditions  he  made  to  the  mountain.  They 
now  relinquished  to  him  several  apartments  or  cells  for  the 
use  of  his  distinguished  friends,  while  the  court-yard  was  occu 
pied  by  the  cavalry  who  escorted  the  females.  The  two  parties 
had  met  at  the  monastery,  which  was  to  be  their  headquarters 
during  their  exploration  of  the  mountain.  The  Ghebre  had 
his  own  private  reasons  for  conducting  Debaena,  Irene,  and 
Madeleine  Delaplaine  to  this  locality.  The  ostensible  one  was 
to  afford  them  views  of  the  surrounding  country  and  to  famil 
iarize  them  with  the  geological  formation  of  the  mountain,  in 
which  the  Persian  princess  was  interested.  She  was  still  under 
the  intellectual  guidance  of  the  Ghebre,  and  Abbas  Mirza  de 
sired  that  she  should  master  the  science  of  Oriental  geology 
under  that  eminent  teacher.  Thus  day  after  day  they  all  in 
haled  the  pure  air  of  the  mountain,  wandered  over  its  evidences 
of  ancient  volcanic  formation,  and  in  the  heat  of  the  mid-day 
refreshed  themselves  from  their  ample  supplies  under  the  shade 
of  the  woods  which  encircled  the  Armenia  monastery.  Under 
the  magic  words  and  learning  of  Zenayi,  every  object  in  the 
neighborhood  assumed  new  interest  for  the  delighted  and 
happy  party. 

One  noon,  as  the  explorers  were  picturesquely  grouped  in 
the  shade  of  the  woods,  and  near  to  the  bank  of  the  cool 
stream  which  flowed  down  from  the  eternal  ice-cap  of  Ararat, 
Debaena  found  himself  and  Irene  sufficiently  remote  from  Ze 
nayi  and  Madeleine  to  engage  in  private  converse.  Their  backs 
were  to  their  companions,  and  the  princess  had  cautiously 
drawn  her  veil  to  one  side,  and  was  allowing  the  commander 
a  full  view  of  her  countenance  as  they  earnestly  conversed. 

"  Are  you  aware,"  she  asked,  "  of  the  ulterior  purpose  of  the 
Ghebre  in  conducting  us  to  Ararat  ?  " 

Her  companion  hesitated  to  reply,  as  he  feared  to  betray 
more  of  the  Ghebre' s  mysterious  object  than  had  been  in 
trusted  to  the  princess.  He  knew  that  it  related  to  the  reve 
lation  of  the  third  and  last  great  secret  of  the  Sphinx.  This 
was  his  only  knowledge  of  the  matter. 


284  IRENE. 

"  Zenayi  has  promised,"  he  said  at  length,  "  to  reveal  to  me 
here  something  which  I  have  long  desired  to  know.  It  is  a 
mystery.  It  is  a  secret  to  me.  That  is  all  I  can  say." 

"  And  you  have  no  knowledge  of  the  nature  of  the  secret  ?  " 
she  asked,  regarding  the  soldier  earnestly  with  her  exquisite 
eyes. 

"  I  have  no  idea  of  the  nature  of  the  secret.  I  have  tokl 
you  all  I  can." 

"  I  know  what  the  Ghebre  has  in  reserve  for  you,  General 
Debaena.  I  alone  of  all  the  women  of  the  earth  know  the 
great  trial  to  which  you  will  be  subjected  on  this  mountain. 

!'  You !  Irene  !  " 

"Yes.  The  sister  of  Abbas  Mirza  has  the  unparalleled 
honor  of  knowing  the  Ghebre's  inner  heart.  You  will  be  tested 
severely.  You  have  never  even  conceived  the  brilliant  tempta 
tion  which  that  mysterious  man  will  spread  before  you." 

"  And  do  you  know  the  terms  upon  which  the  great  secret 
can  become  my  own  ?  " 

"  I  do,"  was  the  response. 

This  was  a  surprise,  indeed,  for  the  soldier.  He  saw  the 
lovely  being  beside  him  look  down  to  the  earth,  and  an  ex 
pression  of  intense  sadness  gather  upon  her  features. 

"  Why  are  you  sad,  Irene  ?  That  face  was  made  for  sun 
shine,  gladness,  science,  hope,  all  that  cheers  and  rejoices  the 
heart  of  man." 

"  To  all  humanity,"  she  replied,  "  the  day  of  anguish  must 
come.  None  of  us  are  exempt.  Then  why  should  not  I  ex 
perience  at  times  the  sudden  check  to  the  flow  of  my  spirits  ? 
Why  should  not  I  repine  at  the  decrees  of  fate  ?  " 

"  Because,  Irene,  you  are  blessed  with  so  many  gifts  of  in 
tellect  and  enjoyment  beyond  the  reach  of  most  of  your  sex. 
You  have  the  blood  of  ancient  kings  and  heroes  coursing  your 
veins.  You  are  the  idol  of  princes.  Wealth  and  luxury  are  at 
your  command.  Your  intellect  has  given  you  the  proud  ap 
pellation  of  '  The  Ornament  of  Persia.'  Fate  has  dealt  kindly 
with  you.  Why  should  the  Princess  Irene  be  sad  ?" 

"All  these  gifts  would  I  gladly  relinquish  for  one  gift.  That 
gift,  priceless  to  me,  is  the  daily  possession  of  humble  women. 
I,  the  princess  of  a  glorious  line  of  ancestry,  hunger  for  that 
which  the  poorest  subject  may  and  often  does  possess.  I 
would  fling  to  the  winds,  wealth,  power,  rank,  to  possess  that, 
only  that." 

Dibaena  listened  to  the  earnest  reply  of  the  proud,  beautiful 


IRENE.  285 

woman,  and  the  tones  of  her  voice  reached  to  the  depths  of 
his  heart.  Intense  suffering  was  in  those  accents.  The  cov 
eted  of  all,  the  honored  of  princes,  was  in  agony,  and  the  truth 
had  escaped  her  at  last. 

"  Irene,"  he  said,  regarding  her  as  she  sat  in  speechless 
agony  and  with  eyes  half  closed  in  the  intensity  of  her  pain, 
"  there  is  but  one  thing  on  earth  for  which  /would  fling  aside 
the  gifts  you  have  named." 

"  And  what  is  that,  General  Debaena  ? "  she  asked  softly, 
but  without  looking  up. 

"  The  entire  heart  of  the  woman  I  love,"  said  the  soldier 
earnestly.  "  Aye  !  "  he  continued,  his  voice  rising  into  vehe 
mence,  "  for  that  I  would  trample  under  foot  principalities  and 
powers,  and  all  that  rnen  can  ever  possess.  But  into  my  brain 
has  biirned  the  truth  that  no  woman  ever  gives  all.  Some 
thing  is  reserved  of  her  heart.  The  entirety  of  her  heart  is 
never  given  to  the  man  she  loves." 

"Seldom,  General  Debaena,  seldom,"  was  the  response. 
"  But  you  do  not  know  yourself.  The  Ghebre  will  unveil 
to  you  a  loveliness  for  which  you  will  relinquish  the  entirety  of 
any  heart,  the  deepest  and  most  unselfish  love  that  could  be 
conceived  in  a  poet's  reverie." 

"  The  Ghebre  can  never  tempt  me  to  abandon  an  entire 
heart  when  I  see  it  really  and  truly  offered  to  me.  I  mean 
the  whole  of  that  heart  which  haunts  my  dreams.  One  woman 
I  love,  one  who  is  enthroned  queen  over  my  life.  But  for  a 
portion  of  her  love  I  would  sacrifice  nothing.  For  the  whole 
of  her  love  I  would  sacrifice  all." 

"  You  do  not  know  yourself,  General  Debaena.  You  have 
never  been  tempted  as  Zenayi  will  tempt  you.  When  up*on 
your  dazzled  sight  breaks  the  vision  of  loveliness  he  will  unveil, 
all  that  you  have  ever  dreamed  of  a  woman's  heart  will  vanish, 
and  you  will  fly  into  the  arms  of  his  temptation.  You  will 
yield  all.  For  you  are  human,  and  the  gift  he  offers  will  trans 
cend  all  that  you  have  ever  dreamed  of  power,  and  wealth  and 
glory." 

"  You  amaze  and  startle  me,  Irene.  But  still  I  say  to  you, 
and  say  it  upon  the  honor  of  a  soldier  of  Persia,  that  should 
Zenayi  by  supernatural  power  open  the  gates  of  paradise  and 
bid  me  enter,  I  would  refuse  if  by  that  refusal  I  could  gain  the 
utter  abandonment  of  that  woman's  soul  to  me." 

"  Mortal  man,"  said  Irene  solemnly,  and  yet  looking  up  to  the 
beautiful  face  of  the  commander,  which  was  radiant  with  the 


286  IRENE. 

intense  love  of  his  heart,  "  you  know  not  what  you  say.  That 
noble  prince  of  thought,  that  faithful  friend  who  has  bound  the 
very  strings  of  his  heart  about  you,  has  in  his  intense  affection 
destined  you  for  a  wonderful  fate.  From  that  glorious  fate  you 
will  be  powerless  to  escape.  The  novelty,  the  splendor,  and 
the  power  of  the  acquisition  will  dazzle  your  imagination,  cause 
your  blood  to  run  quickly  in  your  veins,  and  your  form  to  ex 
pand  with  pride  at  your  eminence.  The  face  of  the  woman 
you  love  will  grow  hazy  in  the  distance  and  then  vanish.  You 
will  think  of  her  no  more,  but  entering  upon  your  glorious  ca 
reer  you  will  move  on  in  majesty  along  the  path  of  your  beau 
tiful  future." 

She  paused  and  eagerly  watched  the  play  of  his  expression. 
He  was  all  fire  now ;  his  curiosity  and  his  imagination  were 
powerfully  at  work.  He  saw  that  Irene  was  indeed  possessed 
of  the  secret,  the  great  secret  which  had  engrossed  so  much  of 
his  thoughts.  But  still  the  intensity  of  his  mortal  love  for  a 
woman  was  burning  within  him,  and  when  at  last  he  spoke  it 
was  in  accents  which  would  have  made  the  heart  he  loved  leap 
for  joy. 

"  Irene,  I  love,  and  all  the  powers  of  the  tempter  can  never 
make  me  abandon  the  sweet  hope  I  cherish  of  one  day  winning 
all  her  heart  to  myself.  For  this  consummation  I  daily  wear  the 
yoke  of  uncertainty,  and  for  this  consummation  1  will  sacrifice  all 
things  in  the  gift  of  men." 

Then  they  heard  the  voice  of  Zenayi  calling  them. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

|  HE  mountain  trembled,  and  a  rumbling  sound  was 
heard  under  their  feet.  All  started  to  the  floor  except 
the  Ghebre,  who  remained  in  his  chair,  calm  and  un 
concerned.  The  countenances  of  his  companions  bore 
marks  of  apprehension  as  the  jarring  of  the  mountain  continued 
and  the  subterranean  thunders  increased  in  violence.  Then  all 
was  still  again.  Zenayi  and  Irene  exchanged  glances.  Then 


IRENE.  287 

did  the  princess  detect  in  the  eyes  of  the  Sphinx  an  intelligence 
which  seemed  to  say  to  her,  "  The  hour  has  come." 

Debaena  and  Madeleine,  recovering  from  the  shock  of  the 
volcanic  commotion,  looked  towards  the  unruffled  face  of  Zenayi 
for  an  explanation  of  the  mystery. 

"  There  is  no  danger,"  he  said,  interpreting  the  look.  "Ararat 
was  once  a  volcanic  mountain  and  flames  issued  from  the  peak 
where  now  is  perpetual  ice.  But  the  internal  fires  of  the  earth 
at  great  intervals  still  influence  the  fissures  in  its  lowest  founda 
tions.  This  has  caused  the  commotion.  It  will  not  continue 
long." 

The  Armenian  monks,  as  he  concluded,  came  hurrying  into 
the  apartment,  as  if  Zenayi  alone  was  the  intelligence  who  could 
dispel  or  confirm  their  fears.  His  calm  expression  reassured 
them,  and  they  listened  to  his  theory  of  the  disturbance  grouped 
eagerly  about  him. 

The  oldest  member  of  the  brotherhood  was  inclined  to  dis 
pute  the  Ghebre's  statements. 

"  I  have  lived  upon  Ararat,"  he  said,  "  more  than  fifty  years, 
and  never  before  did  I  feel  the  mountain  tremble,  or  he^ar  sub 
terranean  noises." 

"  I  said  at  great  intervals  there  were  manifestations  «f  sub 
terranean  power,"  was  the  reply  of  Zenayi.  "  Fifty  years  is  a 
trivial  matter  in  the  lifetime  of  the  globe.  But  come,"  he  ad 
ded,  addressing  the  members  of  his  exploring  party,  "  we  must 
mount  our  steeds  and  be  off.  We  have  much  to  inspect  to 
day." 

The  monks  dispersed  to  their  duties,  and  the  explorers  pro 
ceeded  to  the  courtyard  of  the  monastery,  where  their  horses 
were  saddled  and  awaiting  them.  They  mounted  and  were  off, 
a  small  escort  of  cavalry  accompanying  them.  Proceeding  down 
the  mountain,  which  had  become  perfectly  quiet  again,  they 
reached  a  belt  of  woods,  where  Zenayi  directed  the  cavalry  to 
halt  and  await  the  return  of  himself  and  his  three  companions. 
Leaving  their  horses  in  charge  of  the  soldiers,  the  explorers 
proceeded  on  foot,  following  the  Ghebre.  The  silent  and  mys 
terious  priest  led  them  away  through  a  little  path  under  the 
trees,  and  emerging  at  length  upon  an  open  part  of  Ararat  ex 
hibited  to  them  a  pass  leading  through  broken  and  disordered 
masses  of  rocks.  They  entered  this  pass,  and  in  cheerful  con 
verse  made  their  way  through  its  windings,  with  the  brilliant 
sunlight  above  them  and  a  little  stream  murmuring  its  way 
down  the  mountain  beside  their  path.  Madeleine  clung  close 


288  IRENE. 

to  the  side  of  their  guide,  who  assisted  her  over  the  more  diffi 
cult  obstacles  in  the  rocky  pass.  But  Irene  received  the  assis 
tance  of  Debaena,  who  often  found  her  soft,  warm  hand  in  his, 
as  he  aided  her  over  the  masses  of  fallen  rocks  which  blocked 
the  way.  The  two  were  engrossed  in  each  other's  society  and 
conversation  and  a  magnetic  sympathy  warmed  them.  Irene 
was  veiled  in  the  fashion  of  her  country.  There  was  an  innate 
harmony  between  these  two  impetuous  natures;  and  the  more 
frequently  they  were  brought  together,  the  more  vividly  did 
both  recognize  that  accord.  There  was  a  peculiar  tenderness 
in  the  manner  and  voice  of  Debaena  on  this  occasion  which 
did  not  escape  the  attention  of  his  companion.  The  soldier 
knew  that  he  was  soon  to  undergo  an  ordeal  which  might  sepa 
rate  him  forever  from  the  love  of  any  mortal  woman.  Should 
the  temptation  about  to  be  offered  him  by  the  Ghebre  be  suf 
ficiently  potent,  he  would  from  that  day  discontinue  all  inter 
course  with  women  which  verged  upon  the  sensual.  From  that 
day  forward  not  even  could  a  woman's  hand  rest  tenderly  in  his. 
He  must  avoid  them  and  restrain  all  ardor  in  their  society,  or 
the  gift  of  the  Sphinx  would  be  forfeited  forever.  Involuntarily 
perhaps,  or  from  the  consciousness  that  woman's  tenderness 
was  about  to  escape  him  for  all  time,  he  pressed  the  hand  of 
the  beautiful  princess  when  the  impediments  in  their  path 
obliged  him  to  take  it,  and  at  that  gentle  pressure  a  warmth 
seemed  to  respond  to  him  from  the  girl.  The  two  grew  more 
and  more  silent  as  they  proceeded.  There  seemed  to  be  a  de 
licious  sense  of  congenial  companionship  in  the  two,  and  before 
they  were  aware  of  it  their  pace  slackened,  and  they  fell  far 
behind  the  Ghebre  and  Madeleine.  Closer  and  closer  the  two 
loiterers  seemed  to  draw  to  each  other,  more  frequently  did 
Debaena  extend  his  hand  to  aid  his  beautiful  companion,  and 
presently  at  an  impeding  rock,  which  demanded  unusual  vigi 
lance  to  surmount  it,  the  soldier  passed  his  arm  around  the 
waist  of  the  princess  and  lifted  her  from  her  feet,  carrying  her 
entirely  over  the  obstacle.  The  instant  the  powerful  arm  of 
the  commander  encircled  her,  Irene  felt  the  blood  warming  her 
cheek.  She  was  powerless  in  his  manly  grasp,  but  she  was  not 
offended.  There  seemed  to  be  a  refuge  for  her  weakness  in  his 
strength.  But  she  trembled  and  was  faint  with  pleasure,  and 
when  the  soldier  placed  her  on  her  feet  on  the  other  side  of  the 
rock  she  looked  up  into  his  face  and  said  timidly,  "  I  thank 
you."  He  caught  the  glance  of  her  bright  eyes  through  the 
openings  in  her  veil.  Their  expression  fascinated  him.  He 


IRENE.  289 

did  not  relinquish  the  clasp  of  his  arm  about  her  waist,  but 
held  her  firmly  pressed  against  him  for  an  instant.  Then  he 
said  impetuously : 

"  Forgive  me,  forgive  me,  but  you  are  too  lovely  for  this 
earth." 

She  struggled  then  to  emancipate  herself,  but  she  was  held  by 
arms  of  iron.  He  spoke  again,  his  impulse  obliterating  every 
barrier  of  reserve. 

"  Do  not  struggle  away  from  me.     Irene,  I  love  you." 

At  those  words  her  resistance  grew  feeble,  and  she  mur 
mured,  "  Oh,  no  !  not  me." 

"  Yes,  you,  Irene  —  beautiful,  peerless  angel  of  the  East,  I 
love  you,  and  the  love  which  now  I  offer  you  is  offered  with  all 
the  energy  of  my  being.  Love  me,  love  me,  love  me  ;  dear 
Irene,  love  me." 

At  those  words  of  ineffable  tenderness,  the  Princess  Irene 
remained  passive  in  his  arms,  and  silent. 

"  Love  me,  dear  Irene,  love  me,"  pleaded  the  soldier  again. 
She  leaned  her  head  upon  his  breast.  That  token  was  enough. 
He  raised  her  veil  tenderly,  exposed  to  the  sunlight  the  love 
liest  face  in  Persia,  and  pressed  a  fervent  kiss  upon  the  lips  of 
the  peerless  woman  who  adored  him. 

Zenayi  had  turned  a  corner  in  the  pass  with  his  immediate 
companion,  and  did  not  witness  this  sudden  protest  against  his 
grand  scheme  for  the  day.  But  his  voice  was  heard  calling  to 
the  loiterers.  The  two  hastened  on  to  rejoin  him,  and  the 
princess  said,  as  they  passed  along  : 

"  You  will  be  tempted  beyond  the  power  of  resistance  to 
day,  and  Irene  will  be  forgotten." 

"  You  do  not  know  me,  Irene,"  he  said,  tenderly.  "Already 
has  the  curiosity  to  learn  the  Ghebre's  secret  passed  away.  It 
were  better  for  me  to  tell  him  at  once  that  I  renounce  all  claim 
to  his  mysterious  gift." 

"  No,  no,  General  Debaena,"  she  exclaimed.  "  Face  the 
fearful  responsibility  of  a  decision,  and  then  decide  with  the 
calm,  majestic  front  of  reason.  It  is  just  that  you  should  know 
the  splendor  which  is  offered  to  you,  for  the  opportunity 
seldom  comes  to  man." 

"  And  what  splendor  can  equal  the  splendor  of  my  Irene  ? 
What  treasure  can  tempt  like  the  heart  of  my  princess,  my 
heroine,  my  life  ?  " 

"  Hush  !  "  she  said.  "  You  know  not  the  peerless  beauty 
that  is  just  before  you.  You  are  estimating  Irene  by  false 
13 


290  IRENE. 

standards  of  excellence.  Wait,  in  the  name  of  Allah,  wait. 
You  will  be  tempted  as  you  never  were  tempted  before.  I 
could  relinquish  the  fresh,  noble,  ardent  love  given  me  by  my 
hero,  Debaena,  to  see  him  clothed  with  the  majesty  of  Zenayi's 
gift  For  why  should  a  woman  stand  in  the  way  of  my  hero's 
advancement?  Forget  me,  Debaena,  and  accept  the  nobler 
gift  of  the  Ghebre." 

"  Never"  was  the  -  ardent  response.  "  You  once  told  me 
that  I  would  forsake  all  wealth  and  power  for  the  woman  I 
loved.  So  would  I.  And  now  that  the  matchless  loveliness 
of  my  Irene  and  her  surpassing  breadth  of  intellect  have  be 
come  my  treasures,  the  splendors  of  empire,  wealth  and  glory 
are  coming  like  falling  stars  to  the  dust  beneath  her  feet.  In 
the  effulgence  of  her  eyes  is  my  soul  entranced  and  happy.  In 
the  depths  of  her  love  is  my  heart  sweetly  sleeping,  its  long 
looked  for  dream,  and  upon  her  lips  shall  I  drink  forever  the 
nectar  of  joy  and  unutterable  peace.  Oh,  Irene,  my  precious 
Irene,  you  are  the  fullness  of  a  lover's  dream.  Close  to  your 
dear  heart  press  me.  Fold  your  arms  about  me,  who  have  so 
long  panted  for  the  fruition  of  a  great  woman's  love." 

"  Come,  come,"  called  the  voice  of  the  Ghebre  again. 
"  The  hour  is  at  hand.  Hasten  to  the  sight  which  is  about  to 
be  yours,  and  which  will  soon  pass  away  forever." 

The  two  immediately  hurried  on  and  rejoined  their  com 
panions.  Before  them  was  the  rock  elevated  upon  smaller 
ones  to  which  Zenayi  had  once  called  Debaena's  attention, 
and  bade  him  remember.  Before  it  stood  Madeleine  and  the 
priest,  the  latter  with  folded  arms.  As  the  lovers  came  up,  the 
Ghebre  said  : 

"  Under  the  influence  of  the  subterranean  fires,  now  at  work 
in  the  base  of  the  mountain,  the  earth  will  open  in  a  great 
fissure  just  before  us.  After  a  time  the  fissure  will  close  up 
again.  This  phenomenon,  the  history  of  past  ages  tells  us, 
occurs  but  once  in  every  thousand  years.  It  opened  one 
thousand  years  ago  to-day.  It  will  close  to-day,  and  will  not 
re-open  until  another  thousand  years  are  fulfilled.  While  it  is 
open  we  shall  descend  into  it,  and  behold  a  mystery  which  the 
power  of  Ormuzd  has  created.  Observe  now  closely,  for  I 
hear  the  subterranean  noises  which  indicate  the  opening  of  the 
earth." 

A  trembling  of  the  mountain  ensued.  Then  came  a  heavy 
booming  sound  from  the  earth,  and  a  few  paces  in  front  of  the 
party  a  threadlike  fissure  in  the  rock,  scarcely  noticeable  be- 


IRENE:  291 

fore,  slowly  widened,  spread,  yawned  until  it  exposed  a  great 
cavern  in  the  earth,  through  which  a  red  light  seemed  to  be 
shed  from  a  great  depth." 

"  Come  on  without  fear,"  said  Zenayi.  (t  Natural  steps  in 
the  rocks  give  us  access  to  the  subterranean  marvel.  Alfonso, 
support  the  Princess  Irene  in  the  descent" 

The  voice  of  the  mysterious  guide  was  commanding  and  re 
assuring,  and  they  followed  him  as  he  escorted  the  wondering 
Madeleine  down  the  shelving  rocks  into  the  unknown.  They 
were  approaching  the  great  cavern  laterally,  and  the  light  was 
first  a  dim  red,  but  when  they  had  descended  about  two  hun 
dred  feet,  they  entered  a  high  arched  cave,  through  which  the 
bright,  red  light  from  the  volcanic  fires  which  once  had  as 
cended  to  the  peak  of  Ararat  was  playing  fitfully  but  brilliantly. 
The  floor  of  the  cavern  was  covered  with  white  pebbles,  upon 
which  the  party  walked  until  they  reached  a  grotto  large 
enough  to  contain  a  hundred  persons  with  ease.  To  the 
amazement  of  the  explorers,  this  grotto  was  covered  within, 
floor,  sides  and  roof,  with  masses  of  tiny  crystals  which  bril 
liantly  sparkled  in  the  distant  firelight.  But  the  greatest  mar 
vel  of  the  place  was  the  object  in  the  centre  of  the  floor  of  the 
grotto,  and  all  eyes  were  instantly  fixed  upon  it.  It  was  a 
natural  basin  of  crystal  filled  with  sparkling  water,  deep  enough 
to  submerge  the  human  figure  to  the  waist  The  pellucid  fluid 
was  bubbling  up  on  every  inch  of  its  surface,  and  as  it  rose 
and  swelled  and  murmured,  supplied  from  some  hidden  source, 
a  sound  of  gentle  music  in  the  air  accompanied  its  melody. 

All  voices  were  hushed  in  the  awe  of  the  supernatural,  and 
all  eyes  were  turned  upon  the  Ghebre,  who  was  kneeling 
reverently  upon  the  brink  of  the  fountain  and  praying  to 
Ormuzd.  Brighter  and  more  merrily  played  the  up-gushing 
water,  and  sweeter  and  more  gently  whispered  the  unknown 
music  in  the  air.  Gentle  suggestions  of  the  pure  and  holy 
seemed  to  come  from  that  divine  melody,  until  all  hearts 
were  elevated  to  contemplation  of  the  spiritual  and  the  hea 
venly. 

At  length  the  Ghebre  arose  to  his  feet  and  looked  upon  the 
beautiful  faces  of  his  companions,  radiant  with  the  red  light 
which  was  cast  upon  them. 

"In  the  tenderness  of  my  love  for  you,  Alfonso,"  he  said, 
"  I  have  brought  you  to  this  mystery.  You  know  the  terms 
upon  which  you  can  enjoy  the  last  great  secret  of  your  friend. 
I  have  offered  you  this  in  gratitude  for  your  saving  my  life  at 


292  IRENE. 

Echmiadzin.  By  violence  the  Ghebre  may  die.  By  the  wast 
ing  of  disease  and  the  decay  of  the  vital  powers  I  can  never 
die.  /  am  immortal.  Bathe  in  that  fountain  and  you  can 
never  die.  Take  with  you  into  that  priceless  bath  these  beau 
tiful  friends  of  yours,  and  they  can  never  die,  but  will  ever 
flourish  in  unchanging  beauty,  for  this  is  the  Fountain  of  I\  /•• 
pctital  Youth.  I  bathed  in  these  waters  at  my  mature  age ;  so 
shall  I  always  remain  as  when  I  made  that  exquisite  plunge 
into  immortality.  Enter  this  fountain  now  in  the  splendor  of 
your  young  manhood,  and  you  shall  always  be  the  same  as 
now.  Wrinkles,  decay,  old  age  can  never  put  their  painful 
marks  upon  you  or  upon  these  lovely  women,  when  they  shall 
make  the  eternal  renunciation  of  mortal  love,  and  bathe  in 
these  celestial  waters,  offered  once  in  every  thousand  years  to 
mortals  by  the  inscrutable  decree  of  the  pure  Ormuzd.  But 
at  the  first  yielding  to  the  sensual  love  of  mortals  the  price 
less  gift  passes  from  your  possession,  and  you  become  subject 
to  decay  and  death.  Look  into  the  eyes  of  Zenayi  and  recog 
nize  the  man  who  has  outlived  dynasties  and  empires,  and 
upon  whose  face  and  form  thousands  of  years  have  fanned  their 
wings,  and  could  not  change  him.  See  you  not  the  plenitude 
of  power,  the  profundity  of  learning,  and  the  knowledge  of  the 
human  heart  which  immortality  upon  the  earth  shall  give  ? 
Hunger  and  thirst  can  never  slay  you ;  only  a  death  of  vio 
lence  can  cheat  the  bather  of  his  immortality.  Ponder  this 
mystery,  and  then  plunge  into  the  fountain,  Alfonso,  Madeleine, 
Irene,  and  forever  free  yourselves  from  the  sensual,  and  you 
shall,  like  Zenayi,  live  forever.  Soon  the  hour  will  come  when 
we  must  fly  from  this  place,  and  the  fountain  be  concealed  for 
another  circuit  of  a  thousand  years.  Oh  !  was  so  inestimable 
a  gift  ever  offered  to  three  mortals  in  the  bloom  and  freshness 
of  their  life  and  beauty?" 

Into  the  faces  of  each  other  looked  the  three  companions 
of  the  Ghebre,  turning  their  eyes  to  one  and  then  to  another, 
as  if  to  read  the  hidden  secrets  of  each  other's  thoughts.  The 
immensity  of  the  proffered  gift  thrilled  through  the  intellectual 
appreciation  of  them  all.  What  they  should  gain  all  dimly 
saw.  What  they  should  lose  by  the  renunciation  of  mortal 
love  all  pondered  deeply.  They  looked  upon  the  fountain 
merrily  playing  in  its  liquid  light,  and  at  their  hesitancy  the 
aerial  music  seemed  to  murmur  a  sweeter,  more  tempting 
melody.  The  fullness  of  joy  was  in  the  pulsations  of  harmony 
traversing  the  air,  and  the  pure  waters  of  the  immortal  foun- 


IRENE.  293 

tain  seemed  to  leap  up  in  eager  invitation.  Debaena  pressed 
his  hands  to  his  temples  in  the  agony  of  his  indecision,  and  the 
eyes  of  the  two  beautiful  women  studied  the  expressions  of  his 
face  as  he  turned  to  them  in  the  intense  thought  of  his  inquir 
ing  eagle  eyes.  How  could  he  make  a  decision  now,  when 
the  magnitude  and  the  surpassing  brilliancy  of  the  issues  at 
stake  overpowered  him,  dazzled  him,  bewildered  him  ?  All 
power  but  no  love.  This  was  the  edict  of  the  beautiful  foun 
tain.  Eternal  youth  but  no  tenderness,  no,  not  to  the  end  of 
countless  ages. 

The  Ghebre  spoke  again,  as  with  his  calm  smile  of  superi 
ority  he  surveyed  the  faces  of  them  all. 

"  One  woman  bathed  in  these  immortal  waters  ages  ago. 
As  she  was  in  youth  and  beauty  so  did  she  remain,  every  fea 
ture,  every  limb  as  it  was  when  she  entered  the  fountain.  In 
learning  and  in  culture  she  became  a  wonderful  power.  But 
the  hour  of  temptation  came  to  her.  The  experience  and  the 
wisdom  of  ages  was  wiped  out  when  she  saw  the  face  of  a  man 
of  extraordinary  beauty.  For  the  kisses  of  his  lips  she  forfeited 
immortality  in  an  instant.  She  can  never  regain  the  immortal 
gift ;  she  will  decay  and  die.  And  the  man  for  whom  she  sac 
rificed  all  has  turned  his  back  upon  her,  because  he  watched 
her  in  her  bath  in  a  royal  andcroon,  and  saw  that  the  perfec 
tions  of  her  form  did  not  equal  the  beauties  of  her  face." 

Debaena  started  and  looked  in  amazement  towards  the 
Ghebre. 

"  And  did  she  wear  upon  her  veil  the  badge  of  the  Order  of 
the  Sun  Lion?"  he  inquired. 

"The  same,  the  same,"  was  the  response.  "You  have 
solved  the  mystery,  and  for  that  man's  kisses  she  sacrificed 
perpetual  youth." 

At  these  words  the  beautiful  face  of  Madeleine  turned  from 
Debaena  to  the  fountain.  She  approached  nearer  and  still 
nearer  to  the  pellucid  waters,  and  gazed  earnestly  upon  their 
riotous  play  as  they  danced  in  the  red  firelight.  For  a  mo 
ment  she  appeared  to  hesitate  in  uncertainty.  But  as  she 
clasped  her  fair  hands  over  the  brink,  and  studied  the  tempt 
ing  fountain,  the  mysterious  music  swelled  louder  and  sweeter 
upon  the  ear,  and  the  notes  were  those  of  temptation  calling 
for  the  sacrifice  of  love  and  the  acceptance  of  immortality  and 
perpetual  youth.  She  rapidly  flung  aside  the  covering  which 
fashion  had  placed  upon  her  golden  hair,  shook  out  the  heavy 
masses  of  her  silken  locks,  and  with  a  quick,  eager  movement. 


294  IRENE. 

stepped  from  the  brink  into  the  water,  sank  to  the  waist,  and 
then,  with  a  cry  of  exultation,  plunged  her  arms  into  the  en 
circling  flood,  and  poured  the  immortal  waters  upon  her  head. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

[S  Madeleine  revelled  in  her  bath,  which  forever  sealed 
upou  her  the  freshness  of  perpetual  youth,  the  Prin 
cess  Irene  with  eager  eyes  gazed  upon  her.  The 
drops  of  water  falling  from  the  golden  hair  and  from 
the  uplifted  fingers  of  her  hands  flashed  like  rubies  in  the  red 
light  of  the  volcanic  fire.  A  radiance  unearthly  was  upon  her 
face  as  she  smilingly  looked  towards  her  companions,  and  the 
sweet  notes  of  the  supernatural  music  seemed  to  call  louder  for 
the  remaining  two  to  secure  forever  the  freshness  and  beauty 
of  their  youth.  Nearer  and  nearer  to  the  fountain  pressed  the 
figure  of  the  Persian  princess,  and  more  alluringly  upon  the  air 
trembled  the  melody  of  the  tempting  harmony.  Would  she 
too,  the  Ornament  of  Persia,  yield  to  the  greatest  temptation 
ever  offered  to  woman?  Eternal  beauty,  eternal  power  to 
rule  and  fascinate  the  hearts  of  men,  ever-increasing  learning, 
new  resources  of  power  through  all  the  ages,  these  were  the  re 
wards  of  the  immortal  bather.  Would  the  scheming  intellect 
of  Irene  fail  to  grasp  the  very  source  of  power?  She  stood 
trembling  upon  the  brink  of  the  fountain.  She  flung  aside-  her 
veil,  and  the  surpassing  loveliness  of  her  features  seemed  to 
gather  a  more  heavenly  lustre  from  the  light  which  emanated 
from  the  fountain  itself. 

The  magnificent  eyes  of  Debaena  were  upon  her.  The 
mysterious  eyes  of  the  Sphinx  regarded  her  expected  decision 
with  undisguised  interest.  Why  did  she  hesitate  to  plunge 
into  the  immortal  waters?  Madeleine  was  calling  to  her. 
The  mysterious  music  of  the  supernatural  was  calling  to  her. 
Power,  the  eternal  future,  the  glories  of  ages  to  come,  all  were 
calling  to  her.  Why  did  she  pause  and  shiver  upon  the  brink 


IRENE.  295 

of  so  glorious  a  destiny  ?  At  last  she  turned  and  gazed  upon 
the  face  of  the  great  soldier  of  Persia.  His  eyes  met  her 
inquiring  look,  but  he  spoke  not,  moved  not,  gave  no  indica 
tion  of  what  was  passing  within  his  soul.  Then  she  looked 
away  upward  to  the  roof  of  the  grotto  as  if  she  implored  the 
guidance  of  Allah.  At  last  she  turned  abruptly  from  the  foun 
tain,  and  kneeling  at  the  feet  of  Debaena  said  in  tones  of  thrill 
ing  sweetness : 

"  My  lord,  my  prince,  my  hero  Debaena,  /  sacrifice  eternal 
youth  and  beauty  for  you" 

The  eyes  of  the  commander  flashed  brilliantly  at  these  words, 
but  he  turned  to  look  at  the  eyes  of  the  Ghebre. 

"Stand  back,  Irene,"  hoarsely  called  out  the  voice  of 
Zenayi ;  "stand  back  until  I  summon  to  the  aid  of  the  immortal 
beauty  the  forces  of  reason." 

The  lovely  girl  arose  to  her  feet,  retired  a  few  paces,  and 
there  stood  silently  and  with  clasped  hands  awaiting  the  result. 
Even  the  immortal  Madeleine  paused  in  her  bath  to  listen,  so 
unexpected  had  been  the  decision  of  the  Princess  Irene. 
Then  the  immortal  Ghebre  addressed  himself  to  the  idol  of  his 
heart : 

"  Alfonso,  when  the  inhabitants  of  lo  buried  with  magnifi 
cence  the  corpse  of  Homer,  I  was  a  witness  of  the  superb 
spectacle.  I  stood  upon  the  Acropolis  of  ancient  Athens  when 
the  Parthenon  and  the  Erechtheum  were  in  the  plenitude  of 
their  glory.  I  was  the  companion  and  instructor  of  the  youth 
ful  Cyrus,  and  in  the  zenith  of  his  glory  he  loved  Zenayi.  I 
have  been  face  to  face  with  Alexander  the  Great.  I  witnessed 
his  early  battle  of  Chosronea  and  his  conquest  of  the  sacred 
Theban  band.  I  saw  him  die  with  the  fever  of  the  Assyrian 
marshes ;  and  all  my  efforts  to  save  him  proved  of  no  avail. 
I  stood  by  the  cross  of  the  great  prophet,  Christ,  when  the 
false  and  the  cowardly  forsook  him  and  fled.  Aye,  before  all 
these  and  their  epochs  I  lived.  When  the  Ararat,  within 
whose  cavern  we  now  stand,  was  crested  with  verdure  to  the 
very  sujjimit  and  while  the  timbers  of  the  Ark  still  mouldered 
at  the  peak,  I  was  familiar  with  the  secret  places  of  the  moun 
tain  and  knew  the  history  of  the  postdiluvian  races  of  men. 
By  the  cradles  of  historic  kings  and  conquerors  I  have  given 
counsel,  and  my  fame  as  scholar,  councillor  and  sage  has  been 
in  many  climes.  By  one  name  here,  by  one  name  there,  I  have 
been  reverenced  or  feared.  The  great  have  valued  my  coun 
sel,  the  weak  have  returned  again  and  again  to  the  Sphinx 


296  IRENE. 

whom  they  have  driven  forth  and  undervalued.  When  Persia 
extended  from  the  Indus  to  the  .Mediterranean,  and  from  the 
Kuxine  and  Caspian  to  the  Persian  (lulf  and  Indian  Ocean,  I 
was  ail  inhabitant  of  the  great  empire  and  my  name  was  in  the 
mouths  of  the  learned  and  the  great.  I  have  seen  the  mighty 
in  their  glory,  and  witne>sed  the  proud  shivering  in  the  glance 
of  death.  The  pale  conqueror  of  men  has  gathered  the  lofty 
and  the  beautiful  of  all  climes  to  his  mouldering  clasp,  and  I 
survive  them  all.  Dynasties  and  races  pass  me  by  on  their 
march  to  death,  and  I  smile  calmly  upon  his  skeleton  form  and 
all-conquering  sickle.  For  by  the  hand  of  time  and  the  wast 
ing  of  disease  I  can  never  die.  I  have  looked  upon  the  peer 
less  charms  of  Statira,  and  Semiramis  from  her  battle-horse  has 
flung  to  me  a  kiss.  Into  the  libraries  of  all  lands  I  have 
walked  for  study  and  to  them  given  some  of  the  rarest  volumes 
rescued  from  the  destroying  fires  of  thoughtless  conquerors.  I 
have  seen  libraries  in  all  ages  given  to  the  devouring  flames 
and  witnessed  the  tears  and  lamentations  of  the  learned. 
Palaces  and  temples  have  been  my  refuge,  or  in  the  caverns 
of  the  earth  I  have  hidden  from  violence.  I  have  been  courted 
and  caressed  in  one  age,  hunted  and  persecuted  in  the  next. 
I  have  seen  the  development  of  every  human  passion  in  prince 
and  subject,  and  neither  knew  the  truth  that  I  was  the  eye  of 
the  Past,  and  the  eye  of  the  Future.  In  all  the  schools  of 
philosophy  I  have  been  a  student,  and  the  knowledge  of 
Thebes,  Memphis  and  Heliopolis  has  been  taught  to  me  by 
their  priests  in  all  ages.  What  I  have  been  in  the  past  you 
may  be  in  the  future,  the  sage  of  sages  and  the  adviser  of 
countless  kings.  The  hidden  treasures  of  empires  will  be 
known  to  you  and  the  secret  motives  of  human  hearts.  Experi 
ence,  experience,  that  mighty  tutor  of  the  great,  will  show  to 
you  the  reins  of  empire  by  which  you  may  drive  all  men. 
Listen  to  the  supernatural  music  which  summons  you  to  power 
and  to  the  immortal  possession  of  all  your  youth  and  beauty. 
Listen  while  yet  the  celestial  strains  allure  you  to  the  priceless 
gift  The  woman  of  to-day  will  be  the  mouldering  dust  of  the 
morrow.  I  have  witnessed  countless  throngs  of  the  beautiful 
go  down  to  death.  Fair  as  Madeleine,  spirited  and  beautiful 
as  Irene,  they  have  mouldered  and  their  faces  have  fallen  in  and 
worms  have  eaten  them.  But  the  immortal  beauty,  the  per 
petual  youth  can  be  your  own,  and  unruffled  you  can  witness 
the  flight  of  ages,  flatten  to  the  fountain  where  Madeleine  is 
saved,  and  through  countless  epochs  you  shall  contemplate  her 


IRENE.  297 

as  a  remote  star,  ever  growing  in  learning,  power  and  witchery. 
Shake  off  the  sensual,  abandon  love,  and  enter  forever  the  im 
mortal  life.     Hasten,  for  the  hour  of  your  trial  is  short.     The 
mountain  will  close  for  a  thousand  years  and  when  again  it 
opens  you  will  be  forgotten  dust." 

The  Ghebre  with  his  glorious  eyes  of  immortality  contem 
plated  the  soldier.  Then  with  his  white-robed  figure  erect  and 
majestic  he  turned  and  pointed  to  the  fountain.  The  music 
of  an  unknown  realm  swelled  forth  enchantingly  upon  the  ear. 
It  seemed  to  embody  in  its  notes  the  suggestion  and  the  reali 
zation  of  the  "wonderful  gift.  Endless  power,  endless  life,  end 
less  youth  and  beauty  were  in  the  bath  where  Madeleine  rev 
elled,  and  the  commander-approached  the  brink  with  his  ambi 
tious  soul  on  fire.  The  consciousness  of  coming  power  so 
near  at  hand,  the  effulgence  of  the  immortal  bath  shining  upon 
his  hero-face,  and  the  inflaming  words  of  his  long-tried  friend 
seemed  to  draw  him  onward,  nearer  and  nearer  to  the  fountain. 
And  the  alluring  music  in  the  air  urging  him  to  the  step  which 
would  secure  his  matchless  destiny  transcended  all  power  of 
resistance,  until  he  turned  and  looked  upon  the  trembling  figure 
of  the  lovely  woman  who  had  sacrificed  all  for  him.  There 
she  stood,  the  queen  of  the  Orient,  with  her  woman's  soul  in 
her  eyes  regarding  him.  The  intensity  of  her  thought  blazed 
in  her  beautiful  eyes,  her  hands  were  clasped,  her  attitude  that 
of  loving  helplessness  and  eternal  trust. 

Debaena  turned  from  her  to  Madeleine  and  the  fountain, 
contemplated  the  two  for  a  moment,  and  then  with  an  air  of 
proud  disdain  that  he  had  been  for  an  instant  tempted  from  the 
great  within  him,  stepped  back  a  pace  and  folded  the  proud 
and  beautiful  Irene  in  the  arms  of  his  love  forever. 

The  Ghebre  fell  senseless  upon  the  floor  of  the  grotto  and 
the  celestial  music  ceased. 

For  an  hour  the  trio  made  every  exertion  to  restore  Zenayi 
to  consciousness.  Madeleine,  emerging  from  the  fountain, 
found  to  her  amazement  that  instantly  the  clothing  upon  her 
dried,  and  not  the  slightest  indication  of  moisture  remained 
upon  her  heavy  mass  of  hair.  She  scooped  up  with  her  hands 
the  immortal  water  and  poured  it  on  the  Ghebre' s  head.  She 
bathed  his  forehead  and  hands,  while  Irene  sustained  his  head 
upon  her  lap.  But  every  effort  was  unavailing  to  restore  their 
venerable  friend.  At  last  they  were  startled  by  a  recurrence 
of  the  heavy  rumbling  in  the  mountain  which  had  preceded  the 
opening  of  the  fissure.  Some  instinct  warned  them  that  the 


298  IRENE. 

closing  up  of  the  mountain  was  at  hand.  In  their  terror  they 
raided  the  Ghebre  in  their  arms,  and  by  their  united  strength 
carried  him  slowly  up  the  natural  steps  in  the  rock  by  which 
they  had  gained  access  to  the  cavern.  As  they  toiled  away  up 
ward  with  their  burden,  they  felt  the  mountain  tremble,  and 
heard  repeated  detonations  of  the  subterranean  thunder.  Sud 
den  and  brilliant  lights  flashed  up  from  the  red  fires,  deep  in  the 
earth,  as  if  from  explosive  gases.  Their  alarm  increased  at 
every  step.  They  might  be  imprisoned  forever  in  the  earth  by 
the  sudden  closing  up  of  the  fissure  which,  Zenayi  had  notified 
them,  must  close  sometime  during  that  day.  Their  burden  hung 
like  lead  upon  their  arms.  Hut  they  would  not  abandon  him 
and  seek  safety  in  a  precipitate  lligtot.  They  heroically  clung 
to  their  friend,  and  slowly  bore  him  upward.  At  last,  to  their 
joy,  they  reached  the  summit,  lifted  the  body  of  Zenayi  through 
the  fissure,  and,  panting  with  fatigue,  carried  him  far  away  from 
danger  and  laid  him  beneath  the  shade  of  a  cluster  of  bushes. 
Scarcely  had  they  .been  relieved  of  their  load  when  they  heard 
the  detonations  in  the  earth  louder  than  before.  Again  the 
mountain  trembled,  and  immediately  the  fissure  in  the  rocks 
closed  up,  and  the  fountain  of  peqx-tual  youth  was  lost  for  an 
other  thousand  years. 

At  last,  to  their  great  relief,  the  Ghebre  opened  his  eyes,  and 
in  another  moment  spoke  to  them. 

"My  distress  at  Alfonso's  refusal  of  immortality,"  he  said, 
after  he  had  learned  of  their  escape  from  perpetual  imprisonment 
in  the  cavern,  "  overpowered  me  and  I  fell.  My  sweetest  hope"in 
in  life  was  that  my  great  soldier  might  share  with  me  the  price 
less  gift  Uut  Ornm/d  has  decreed  otherwise.  Live  then,  Al 
fonso,  a  pure  life  during  the  years  that  remain  to  you  ;  and  at 
your  death  the  eternal  Kuler  will  seat  you  in  Paradise.  May 
the  great  and  astounding  love  you  have  both  manifested  for 
each  other  render  you  happy  and  peaceful  to  the  end.  Had 
the  cavern  closed  upon  you  and  Irene,  death  would  in  time  have 
come  to  you  both.  But  Madeleine  and  Zenayi  would  have  lived 
in  that  fearful  prison  for  a  thousand  years,  until  the  fissure  once 
more  opened  to  us  the  light  of  day.  Go  now,  Alfonso,  for  our 
escort,  and  bid  them  bring  here  a  litter  for  me.  I  must  be  car 
ried  to  the  monastery.  My  natural  strength  will  soon  return  to 
me." 

When  Debaena  was  once  more  at  the  capital  of  the  Persian 
empire,  he  solicited  from  the  Shah,  through  the  medium  of  Ab 
bas  Mir  ^a,  the  hand  of  the  Princess  Irene.  The  royal  assent 


IRENE.  299 

was  readily  obtained  for  so  desirable  a  match,  and  the  lovers 
who  had  sacrificed  the  immortal  life  were  united  in  marriage. 
So  beautiful  was  the  pair  as  they  knelt  before  the  Shah  to  receive 
his  blessing,  that  a  murmur  of  delight  ran  through  the  crowd  of 
princes  and  nobles  who  thronged  the  court.  Madeleine  was 
there  in  her  immortal  loveliness,  and  the  white-robe  d  Ghebre 
stood  beside  her,  gazing  with  his  mysterious  eyes  upon  the 
scene. 


Years  have  rolled  away  since  the  hero  of  the  Russian  war 
folded  in  his  arms  the  peerless  princess  as  his  wife.  Beautiful 
sons  and  daughters  have  blessed  the  union  of  this  happy  pair 
and  to-day  occupy  places  of  honor  and  power  in  the  Persian 
empire.  The  marks  of  age  have  traced  themselves  upon  the 
brow  of  Debaena  and  his  loving  wife.  Their  hair  has  put  on 
the  silver  hue,  and  in  a  few  years  they  will  go  down  to  death. 
But  Madeleine,  the  golden-haired,  is  still  a  fresh,  exquisite, 
blooming  girl,  as  lovely  as  when  she  paused  upon  the  fountain's 
brink  and  studied  the  tempting  waters  of  immortality.  Not  a 
line  has  deepened  in  her  fair  face ;  not  a  thread  of  silver  has 
stolen  into  her  silky  mass  of  hair,  and  her  eyes  still  gleam  with 
all  the  lustre  and  beauty  of  her  youth.  Her  kindred  have  all 
passed  to  the  tomb,  but  she  will  never  die.  All  the  luxuries  of 
wealth  are  in  her  grasp.  The  knowledge  of  the  Ghebre  has 
opened  to  her  the  buried  treasures  of  many  ancient  empires ; 
•««d  with  that  mysterious  unchanging  guide  she  has  traversed 
many  lands  and  studied  deeply  the  lore  of  ages.  On,  and  still 
on  into  the  future,  shall  tread  her  beautiful  feet.  Kingdoms 
shall  pass  away,  and  she  remain  ever  beautiful,  ever  young. 
The  mysteries  of  science  and  the  lore  of  all  lands  shall  in  time 
be  within  her  intellectual  grasp.  Her  eyes  have  begun  to  take 
on  that  mysterious  and  profound  look  of  the  Ghebre.  Year 
by  year  shall  it  deepen  and  startle  men,  that  luminous,  fascina 
ting  look  of  immortality. 

The  girl  who  forfeited  immortality  for  the  sake  of  Debaena's 
kisses,  and  who  was  sent  by  Ayesha  as  her  substitute  beneath 
the  veil  to  entrap  and  hold  the  heart  of  the  young  commander, 
has  long  since  mouldered  into  dust.  But  Madeleine,  the  sweet, 
pure  type  of  innocence  and  loveliness,  will  live  on  and  on,  until 
the  end  of  time  shall  unite  her  to  the  holy  God  she  loves.  In 
the  streets  of  many  cities  of  the  earth  the  passer-by  is  often 
startled  by  a  vision  of  female  loveliness  which  haunts  his  mem- 


300  IRENE. 

ory  ever  after.  It  is  that  of  a  mysterious  girl  of  peerless  beauty, 
and  with  golden  hair,  whose  eyes  are  radiant  with  a.  mysterious 
power,  and  whom  no  one  over  knows.  She  passes  in  her 
matchless  loveliness,  clothed  in  mystery;  and  when  she  has 
cone  the  memory  of  her  lingers  and  oft  returns  again  like  the 
ideal  images  seen  in  dreams. 


THE    END. 


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